Blessings by the Brook
Well, hush my mouth and pass the hot cornbread, buttercup. Pull up a rocker ’a-sittin’ on this here porch ’cause we’re gonna be ‘a-wanderin’ down to Kerith Brook with Elijah, and it’s bumpier than a wagon wheel on a gravel road.
“So, Elijah did as the LORD told him and camped beside Kerith Brook. The ravens brought him bread and meat, but after a while the brook dried up” (1 Kings 17:5–7). Now that there might sound a mite like a prophet’s retreat, but no, ma’am, this was God’s boot camp. Those ravens weren’t ’a-flyin’ through a heavenly Chick‑fil‑A. They were scavengers, bless their scruffy hearts, and Elijah was ’a-eatin’ whatever they were ’a-draggin’ in. And that brook? More “flavored by critters” than fancy bottled water.
Elijah was a mover and shaker, a spiritual firecracker, probably ‘a-feelin’ like a racehorse tied to a fence post. But instead of complainin’, he leaned into what God was ’a-doin’. He lived out Psalm 37:7 before it was written: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” And sugarplum, ’a-bein’ still ain’t easy when you’re wired like a squirrel on sweet tea.
But God wasn’t ’a-wastin’ Elijah’s time. He was preparin’ him. Because right after this here muddy‑brook moment, Elijah marched up Mount Carmel and faced down hundreds of false prophets in a showdown that made every goat and lizard in Israel gasp (1 Kings 18:20–40). That quiet season wasn’t downtime; it was prep time.
And sometimes, lil’ bug, we’re ’a-sittin’ by our own Kerith Brook, ’a-swattin’ flies and ’a-wonderin’ why God’s got us stuck in a place smaller than a chicken coop. We say, “Lord, I wanna do somethin’ big!” and God says, “Child, I’m still ’a-gettin’ you ready.”
So, if your brook is ’a-lookin’ muddy, and your ravens are ’a-lookin’ questionable, hang tight. Be faithful. Be teachable. God’s preparin’ you for somethin’ you can’t see yet.
Lord, when I’m ’a-sittin’ by my own little brook ’a-wonderin’ what You’re ’a-doin’, help me trust Your timing. Make me faithful in the small things and hopeful in the hard things. Prepare my heart for whatever You’re ’a-shapin’ me for. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Well, I reckon that’s enough holy jawin’ for one sittin’. Even if you’re ’a-bein’ fed by ravens and ’a-drinkin’ from a puddle, God’s ’a-gettin’ you ready for a Mount Carmel moment. Now go on and git to stayin’ faithful by your own brook!
With joy,
Gwen
