Parenting in Tough Times

(A Mother's Story)

By Pastor Ken Foreman

Text:  I Kings 17:8-24

We're living in tough times, it's true. But tough times have been a constant throughout history. And parenting in tough times is always a challenge. Here are three things to remember in tough times...

The widow's story... After three and-a-half years of drought and famine, she was working on her last meal - a little bit of meal and oil, and a few sticks. Put together they would make one last little cake. She and her son would eat it and then, because there was no more, they would die.

Elijah's story... The prophet of God was also hungry. He'd experienced the same years of drought and famine. The difference was, the drought and famine were the result of Elijah's prophecy at the command of Jehovah. What's more, During those lean years God had sustained His prophet, and even now had sent him to Zarephath in Zidon (not Israel,) to this very widow woman, telling him that He had commanded her to sustain His prophet. So, Elijah approached her asking for a drink of water. As she was going to fetch it, Elijah added, "Bring me a morsel of bread." The widow responded with her sad tale of tough times, but Elijah said, "Fear not. Go and do as thou hast said, but make thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth."

1. Don't stop parenting just because times are tough. Be available! Be faithful!
2. Keep doing what's right. The same things that make you effective in the good times will make you effective in the tough times.
3. God has unlimited resources. They're available to those who place their trust in Him.

The end result was - Just as God said; Elijah ate, the widow ate, and her son ate many days - until the drought ended.

God's Story... "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11) God is both Author and Finisher of our faith. What He started, He will finish! Remember...

• He changes circumstances!
• He changes you!
• His resources are limitless!