The Saturday Journal: Empty is Full
- tathelmillerwriter
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
My Grandson and I were on a road trip and as we were traveling down this country road, I glanced at him in the rear view mirror. He was quiet. I asked, 'What's you doing?' And I expected him to say, playing on my video game, reading. But he said neither. He answered, 'I'm looking out the window at all the pretty trees. There's one over there with pink flowers and another one with white flowers.'
We talked more about the names of the trees and I asked him if he had ever looked closely at the flowers on the white tree--the dogwood. He hadn't. I explained to him about the tips of the dogwood flower--how they look like blood stains--a representation of Christ's blood shed on the cross. And when we got to where we were going, there just happen to be a dogwood in the yard--in full bloom. I cupped my hand around the dogwood flower and he looked closer. He said, 'Oh yeah. That does look like blood stains.'
In just a few short days we will begin Holy Week--traveling through scriptures--through Jesus' last days finishing His earthly ministry--doing His Father's Work. And I'll have to be truthful with you--the Crucifixion--Jesus' death--it's hard for me. The bloodshed--the pain He endured--the rejection He received and still does. The movies and music videos depicting Jesus' suffering--I can't watch them. It hurts too much. Tears come. I want to say, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Over and over--I'm sorry Lord. And at the same time--I say thank You.
There's this potter I know--she's a beautiful and gifted artisan. I messaged her several weeks ago and asked if she had ever created a cruse--and I sent her a photo of one. She said no, but she would certainly try.
The land was in a drought and God told Elijah to hide by the brook of Cherith near Jordan and He would send ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat in the mornings and in the evening. The brook would supply him with water. Until the brook dried up. And God told Elijah to go to Zarepath. There would be a widow woman who would sustain him--provide food and water for him.
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. (1 Kings 17. Verses 10-13)
After this, the fill of the cruse and the barrel of meal--they never run low--they were full. God continued to provide for the widow and her son.
My potter friend--her creation of the cruse bottle--it is simply gorgeous. I placed the cruse bottle in a special place--where I'll see it daily. To remind me of hope...
Yes, Holy Week is here and remembering what Christ did for us--His suffering for us--His death--the blood-stained cross--the veil torn and Jesus' words, It is finished (John 19:30).
Tears come again. Of gratitude. Of praise.
The ground was covered with weeds--dried vines crawled up the trellis--wooden frames were covered with dampness and moss. And she said, look at that mess over there. That looks terrible. And really, no fault of hers, she didn't know--the mess she saw on that day--was a garden at rest. But in a few short months--the garden would once again be a place of beauty.
Following Good Friday--Jesus giving His life for ours--three days later came the empty tomb. A tomb in the garden. Inside the tomb laid white garments--folded neatly--Jesus' burial clothes. And there was Jesus walking in the early morning in the garden--The angels see Mary Magdalene--they speak to her. He sees her. And she believes Him to be the gardener. She's wrong. And He speaks to her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? (John 20:15)
She runs to her Savior.
Just as God, Himself walked in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day speaking to Adam and Eve. Where art thou? (Genesis 3:9), He asked. And rather than running to their Creator--they hid from Him.
What seems to be hopeless--with God, there is hope. What seems to be the end--bitter and total darkness--God gives the Light. And what seems to be empty--with God is full. And what seems to be lost--with God, everything will be restored.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
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All photos @copyright Tathel Miller, unless otherwise credited to another photographer.
Thank you for sharing your heart through your stories. I look forward to reading each one.