Sleep. Eat. Drink.

One of my coworkers was complaining of a headache, and I saw that she did not have her usual water bottle at her cash register. I drink a lot of water, and I just think the world would be a better place if we all did that. It is a scientific fact, and not just a Susie thing, that being dehydrated can bring on a headache. So I said maybe drinking some water would help and she gave me a look and I said, "Should I stop mothering you now?" She broke out in a big smile and said, "Yeah. That would be good." I am a nurturing person, which can be okay, but when it crosses the line into mothering it is not a healthy thing.

Once upon a time back in Old Testament Bible times, there was a man named Elijah who wanted to be a force for good in the world. He was overwhelmed and discouraged and pretty much in despair. He was sitting under a juniper tree bemoaning his own life and the condition of the world in general. He was a prophet, who spent his days trying to get people to worship who he believed to be the One True God. Yet lots of people were worshipping this god named Baal, and to make matters even worse he had antagonized Jezebel to the point where she threatened to kill him. So he had fled. As he sat under the tree, he thought maybe it would be good for God to just kill him and put him out of his misery.

I guess he wore himself out, because he fell asleep. Sleep. We all need it, and it has wonderful restorative powers. While he was sleeping, an angel came by and left a cake on a hot rock for him. Eat. And a jar of water. Drink. When he awoke, he realized he was hungry, so he ate the cake and drank the water. Feeling much better already.

He longed to hear God's voice. What he needed was reassurance that life was still good, that all was not lost. He wished that the Power of the Universe would speak to him. There was a mighty wind that shook the branches on the trees. But that was not God. Then the earth quaked. Yet that was not God either. Then there was a fire. God wasn't there either.

Then he heard it. The still, small voice that told him there were still 7,000 people in Israel who had not bowed the knee to Baal or kissed him with their mouths. All was not lost. Life was still good. It was the voice of Elijah's God, the inner compass, the still, small voice. Nothing had changed in the world since Elijah fell sleep. It was Elijah who had changed.

Elijah was all ready to go, as good as new or even better. He had slept, and had a good meal, and, yes, some water. These simple things brought him to a place where he could once again find his center. Elijah and you and me all have our times of discouragement, when we feel overwhelmed, and even to the point of despair. What can bring us back? It must be some huge spectacle, some outstanding miracle of nature, right? Like a hurricane. Or an earthquake. Or a fire.

Isn't it funny how simple life is sometimes? Often all we need are the basics. A restful night's sleep. Nourishing food. A drink of water. (You notice how I keep bringing up the water, right?) And then we are in a place where we hear that still, small voice inside each of us that lifts us up and keeps us going. And growing. Pretty simple when you think about it.

Sleep. Eat. Drink.

Susan

The story of Elijah can be found in the first book of Kings, chapter 19.