The Bottomless Jug

Every time I do my laundry I am reminded of the widow who appealed to Elisha in 2 Kings 4 with her financial problem and God provided a way, through Elisha, of helping her out of her desparate problem. I have a large container of launndry detergent I had bought at a discount store. It says on the outside that it can do 96 loads of laundry but, for a family of five, that wouldn't take a long time to use up. Yet it seems like every time I use it, there is still plenty for another load and it reminds me of God's providence.
The widow in 2 Kings needed a way to make money and the lives of her two sons were at stake. She appealed to Elisha who told her to take the little oil she possessed and start pouring it into all of the containers she could borrow. Her oil lasted until every container was filled. She was able to take that oil and sell it to save the lives of her sons.
Every time I use that detergent I am reminded that he does see to my needs. Time and time again I have whispered a quick prayer of a need and it was miraculously fulfilled. Some of those needs were money for food and a double bed and dressers for my children. More recently I suddenly lost a child care job before I had even started it. It was shortly before Christmas and I had no idea how I was going to get my children Christmas gifts. Then a gift card for $100 to Wal-mart came through the mail with the words that God will provde all my needs. God does not promise to give us that multi-million dollar lottery ticket but I know I can trust Him to meet my basic needs.