A Famine of the Word

This proud momma couldn't wait for baby's hair to grow before giving you a peek. This story made for a nice break from the other work I've been doing.

She gets up while it is still dark, she provides food for her family.
Willow groaned and hit the alarm. Bleary-eyed she stumbled toward the shower.
This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.
She dropped her clothes and stepped on the scale. Numbers don't lie. She was losing the war on fat.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Looking in the mirror though, she wasn't doing that badly. Ron still got a pretty worthy eyeful when he was looking.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities all is vanity.
The water was warm and comforting and the soap smelled of lavender.
Toweling off, she wrapped her hair in a turban and threw on her robe. What to wear?
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
Denim it was, again.
She is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate.
Vanity of vanities. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
The shower had taken longer than usual.
Redeeming the time for the days are evil.
She put the kettle on even though she knew it meant an interupted devotional time.
His delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night.
She read through the Old Testament passage quickly tring to ignore the impending whistle and its call to prepare breakfast. She was halfway through the New Testament portion when she raced over to turn it off.
I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.
Finishing the New Testament, Psalm and Proverb she peeked at the clock. It was almost time to wake the family. Kneeling she laid out her prayer list.
"Lord, all these things I pray. Amen"
Let all things be done decently and in order.
There are too many things, way too many things.
You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.
Willow returned to her knees. She wasn't there long before Ron put the kettle back on the burner. Stumping around, he started cofee, hacked up phlegm and poured cereal.
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.
She gave up trying to pray and took over making breakfast.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family.
"Well, you got the getting up early part."
"Might have gotten the rest if there'd been servant girls to provide for.
"How profitable is your trading?"
"How respected are you in the city gates?"
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone.
"Would you like eggs for breakfast?"
"I would if I had times which I don't."
A soft answer turns away wrath.
"Is there anything I can do to help you get ready?"
"You can travel back in time and get me up a half hour ago and you can slow my boss down so he'll be late. That's what you can do."
Answer not a fool according to his folly.
Anyone who says to his brother "Raca" is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fires of hell.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
She washed up the dishes and laid out breakfast for the kids.
"See you tonight if not earlier." he said and headed out to work.
Fifteen minutes remained. Prayer or breakfast?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.
She got the kids fed and dressed and out the door. She closed up the house and drove them to school and then went to Maimee's for Bible study. The topic was submission and she'd managed to fill in the pink booklet completely this week.
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Maimee had a lovely tray of mini-muffins perched invitingly on a tray next to a chilled pitcher of orange juice.
"Help yourself. I knew you'd be hungry." Maimee smiled and last week's confession about gluttony stung Willow's cheeks.
"I'll just have one, thanks."
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
It was delicious, enticing, perfect. The muffin rivalled chocolate.
Let your moderation be known to all men.
If there be any virtue if there be any praise think on these things.
"Maimee, these are so good, I think I'll have another."
The gleam in Maimee's eyes did not escape Willow, but neither did the muffins. They were so good.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation unto himself.
When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
The plastic knife in the butter didn't look like very useful. Why hadn't Maimee used her stainless? Really, it was rather lazy of her to use plasticware.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Maimee got everyone settled and the study started. Everyone took out their pink booklet determined to become women of submission, or at least to look like a woman of submission. The passage up for discussion was Ephesians 5:21, a general command to all believers to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Maimee being the leader had first say.
"Submission is an issue for every believer, not just women. Paul commands everyone, men included to submit to each other. Now I'm curious what you think about that."
All the women had been cued what to think by the pink booklets, but Mercy was new to the group and still dared to wonder.
"How is it that this one sentence doesn't undermine all the rest of this study? If there's no male nor female, if we all have to submit to each other then why are we working so hard on becoming 'women' of submission? Why aren't we just working on being 'Christians' of submission?"
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
Maimee was feeling restrained. "Well that's an interesting perspective, does anyone else have something to add to that?"
She looked directly at Willow.
"Well, this is a women's Bible study group."
Let your 'Yes' be yes and your 'No' be no or you will be condemned.
"Women have a role that is partly defined by submission so it is natural that we have a special interest, perhaps even an expertise in submitting." Mary was Willow's choice to lead the Bible study, but Mary didn't do mini-muffins.
Maimee pursed her lips. "Exactly, Mary. I couldn't have said it better myself."
Willow covered her mouth and tried to smother a sneeze.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
Mercy stirred. "I don't accept the idea of fixed roles for women."
"Then you might as well turn in your book and go home." Maimee returned.
Mercy did as she was told.
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.
"I hear her marriage is really struggling." Martha offered.
"Ron says Jed's a real flirt." Willow contributed this even though Ron hadn't really been that specific.
Who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman.
"I heard Jed is abusive." Millie chimed in.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself or you also may be tempted.
"Ladies, we did not gather to gossip." Maimee asserted. "Mary, I think you should call Mercy and see if she needs any advice. You are the group expert."
Willow shriveled. She just wanted to get out of that double-wide and back to her little house.
Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
The rest of the Bible study stuck to the pink booklet. Maimee collected requests and led them in a prayer that included a petition on Willow's behalf for help with her "continuing struggle with gluttony."
Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
Willow wished Maimee a good day, and headed out to the truck.
"I wish you led the group" she whispered to Mary.
Mary smiled. "I don't do mini-muffins."
"I know" Willow said.
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
The truck glided along, but Willow's thoughts did not.
If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The grocery store was nearly empty. Not many did their shopping on Wednesday afternoon which suited Willow just fine.
She headed straight for the back aisles and cruised through paper goods and cleaning supplies. Next came canned goods and dried pasta. The kids loved homemade pizza so she picked up a couple of kits. The next aisle was baked goods and she spotted a new spice cake mix. Cream cheese icing is a must with spice cake. There were new peanut butter and butterscotch chips that would make luscious oatmeal cookies.
Then she remembered Maimee's prayer.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.
She remembered Maimee's wicked gleam and put it all back. No desserts this week. The she remembered Tommy's recital. He'd be expecting a sweet reward.
Do not withold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act.
She picked up a rainbow sprinkles cake with rainbow sprinkles icing. No self-respecting adult would touch such a cake.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
The tears began as she turned down the cereal aisle. Product 19 beckoned as did Special K and Total. The kids were gonna love Maimee--no Cookie Crisp, no Froot Loops, no Apple Jacks. Down frozen foods she flew blindly grabbing vegetables and ice cream, fish filets and cool whip.
No good thing does he withold from those whose walk is blameless.
The produce aisle was a chaos of recommended regimens.
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Carrot cake was a healthy alternative especially if she used applesauce as a sweetner. She reached for the carrots.
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.
Just milk and cheese and she could go home. The cashier looked at the cart skeptically. Willow did a hasty calculation. She could afford it all.
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Counting up the cost of her weekly groceries galled Willow. Her personal definition of rich was throwing everything she needed into a cart and never thinking twice about how much it cost. It was such a small amount, why couldn't she have just that level of security?
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
"Paper or plastic?"
"Plastic" Willow specified planning to line the trash cans. Her thriftiness pleased her.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
The doors opened like St. Peter's cell door and she was back out in the heat. The bags were overfilled and she was trying to fit it all in the front seat of the truck to save room for the kids. Thinking of the kids she checked the clock.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.
"Please help me get this done quickly."
A bag containing eggs, carrots and five pounds of sugar started to fall and in order to stop it she threw three bags after it.
"SHIT!"
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth.
Tears and epithets began tumbling over each other.
"Goddamn, that is a lovely mess" a grizzled gentleman began to pick things up. "These plastic bags aren't worth a crap. I always bring along cardboard boxes to cart this stuff in. I think I've got an extra."
"Thanks." Willow was full out boo-hooing, no use trying to appear independent.
Carefully the gentleman salvaged what could be salvaged and packed it into a banana box.
"Sometimes it just feels like the whole world's gone to hell, but it hasn't, it hasn't. You only lost three eggs. That's a miracle right there. Can't do much about your milk though. Say are you dehydrated? You look dehydrated, what with the crying and all. My Mrs. talks my ears off about dehydration. I've got some fancy ass water she gave me stock-piled in the Chevy. Hang on."
Willow found a crumpled, pre-owned tissue in the side-pocket of the door and mopped up. It wasn't her first day like this one.
Hank came back with the water.
"Drink up! You'll feel a hell of a lot better. My Mrs. is pain in the ass, but that's generally because she's right. Take care of yourself and God bless."
Willow waved goodbye and got in the truck. She unscrewed the cap and threw back her head to guzzle. She was dehydrated.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.