Salt in the Kitchen...series

Salt in my Kitchen

By:
Jeanette Lockerbie

The Woman God Calls Great

Bible Reading:

    Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. 9 And she said to her husband, "Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10 Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there." 11 And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there.   

 2 Kings 4:8-11

 

What woman does not dream of being great, really great? Not merely to be called by the loose term, "the greatest." Not to be Mrs. America or Mrs. Universe, or even a benefactor of humanity ( a Madame Curie, perhaps), but great in God's sight.

 

It is significant to us who are homemakers that the only woman ever designated "great" in the Bible earned this distinction in her home. Just for being hospitable.

 

She began by inviting an itinerant prophet in for a slice of homemade bread. He must have enjoyed it, for he never passed the house without stopping for more. This unnamed woman's hospitality was expanded to include lodging for the prophet when he needed it. Thus for all time she provided the prototype for the "prophet's chamber"-that blessed haven where preachers, evangelists and missionaries, weary of hotels, motels and travel, find a Christian welcome.

 

Not everyone is in a position to offer room and board, but there is warm fellowship in even a spontaneous, "Come home with us, even for just a cup of coffee," before the stranger goes on his way. And remember what Jesus said about giving as little as a cup of cold water in His name? (Mark 9:41)

 

Sharing the blessings of our home, even though we may not offer homemade bread, puts us in line for God's commendation. Isn't it encouraging that this kind of "Greatness" is within reach of every one of us?