(a Steve Orr scripture reflection)
The sisterhood in Rebecca Wells’ Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a group of women who have been friends since early childhood. They care deeply for each other, flaws and all.
A war has erupted between one of them, Vivi, and her adult daughter, Sidda. Like many family conflicts, it’s part truth and part misunderstanding. Hoping to reconcile them, the Ya-Ya's kidnap Sidda from her life in New York City and spirit her home to Louisiana. In trying to help her understand just why her mother is so difficult a person, they finally reveal to Sidda her mother's deepest, darkest secret.
Vivi dropped her basket.
They use that phrase to describe a time when, as a young mother, Vivi had a mental and emotional breakdown. She was abusive to her children, attempted suicide, and was committed to a psychiatric hospital.
Life can be tough. Some of us fare better than others. Some of us, for reasons not always known, are stronger than others when it comes to our mental and emotional health. Yet, even when we appear strong to those around us, we can be coming apart on the inside.
There’s an example of that in this week's 1 Kings passage. The prophet Elijah seems almost superhuman. He performs amazing feats in the name of God. People are in awe of his power and authority. To his peers, he seems the ideal warrior for the Lord. And yet:
Elijah dropped his basket.
This great warrior for God, on the heels of a mighty victory—just loses it. In fear, he runs into the wilderness. He is so afraid and depressed, he begs God to take his life. But that’s not the end. Keep reading through verse 16 to learn what God did about Elijah’s depression.
We face struggles that affect us in this life. No matter how strong we've been, no matter how amazing our mountaintop experiences, no matter the victories we've achieved:
Any of us can drop our basket.
In the New Testament book of James, we're told, "Elijah was a human being just like us." Like Elijah, we can depend on God to be in it with us, to hear what we have to say, and to redirect us on our journey.
When Elijah dropped his basket, he thought his journey in this life was over. In fact, he begged for it to be over. But God had more plans for Elijah.
And God has more plans for you.
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