Martha’s Raven

Martha Randall lived alone in a small house in the country. It had been five years since her dear husband, John, had passed away. Now she was no longer able to work and had become very poor. Martha’s life had been hard; she felt very alone in the world. Her only living relative was her nephew, Bruce. He lived only a mile away with his wife, Betty, and their three children. Bruce had a good job and was very rich, but did not bring any comfort into his aunt’s life.

Martha was an elderly, God-fearing woman. She had learned to trust the Lord for all things. Even though she was lonely and poor, she was content. But Bruce, with all his wealth and comfort, did not know the meaning of true happiness. He hated religion and mocked his aunt for her simple faith in God. He could not understand how she could find so much happiness in the Lord.

As winter approached, Martha’s supplies became very low. Then the weather turned very cold, and a heavy snowfall made it impossible for her to go out. Each day she allowed herself to eat only as much as necessary. But the time came when she had to eat the last of her food. Her last half of a potato, together with a bit of milk was all she had for breakfast. Then her cupboard was empty. But she did not complain. The Lord had always supplied for her needs in the past and she was sure that He would help her again.

That evening Martha began to feel hungry. “It would be so wonderful to have a piece of bread before going to bed!” she thought. She did not see how it would be possible on such a stormy night. But she had just finished reading a chapter in the Bible. One text was very comforting to her: “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Martha knelt beside her bed and prayed for bread. She read these beautiful words again and then repeated her prayer.

That same evening Bruce stopped for some extra groceries on his way home from work. Several friends were coming for dinner the following day. Betty had made a list of items she needed, including six loaves of bread. The way home led past his aunt’s home. “I think I’ll just stop by to see if the old lady is still alive,” he thought. He got out of the car and quietly walked up to the door. Opening the door just a bit, he peeked into the room just as Aunt Martha closed her eyes to pray for the third time. Bruce stood silently outside her door and listened. “Dear Lord,” she prayed, “my food is gone and I am hungry. Thou hast said in Thy Word that whatsoever we shall ask in prayer, believing, we shall receive. Please give me some bread.” Bruce had heard enough. Quietly he returned to the car, chuckling to himself. Here was a great opportunity to play a joke on his aunt. He had always told his friends, “When I want something, I have to work for it. But Aunt Martha says she can get things by praying for them.” Now he had heard such a prayer. He would show her how wrong she was!

Taking a loaf of bread from the car, Bruce went back to the house. He quietly slipped inside and placed the loaf on the table. As he drove away, he could picture how Aunt Martha would tell people tomorrow how God had sent her a loaf of bread. Then he could prove to her that he had given her the bread. He could tell her how silly it was to pray to God!

Martha ended her prayer and opened her eyes. There on the table was a loaf of bread! With quiet joy she gave thanks to Him who was faithful to His promise.

The next day as dinnertime approached Martha received another surprise. Someone in her nephew’s car drove up her lane. As she watched, a boy got out and came to the door. He handed her an urgent message. “Aunt Martha,” the note said, “we want you to join us for dinner. Come immediately.” Martha did not know what to think, but quickly changed into her best dress. With some fear she went with the boy to Bruce’s car. The short drive to her nephew’s house, however, filled her heart with joy. The beautiful snow lay sparkling on the trees, fences, and rooftops. She no longer troubled herself to wonder why her hateful nephew had called for her.

When she entered the house, she was immediately taken to the dining room. Bruce and his family and several friends were already seated at the table. “Well, well, Aunt Martha,” her nephew said in a mocking tone, “I thought we should have you come to dinner today so you wouldn’t starve!” A hot meal was placed before her, and she bowed her head to ask a blessing on the wonderful meal. Martha could feel that Bruce and his friends were ridiculing her, but she ate her meal, giving thanks in her heart to God.

After the meal was finished, Bruce spoke to his aunt again. “So today at least you have had a good meal. But what about yesterday?”

Martha looked up and answered sweetly, “I have never been forsaken. The Lord Himself provides for His children.”

“That’s what you always say,” Bruce snorted. “But how does He provide? Just give me one example if you can!”

“Why certainly,” Martha replied. “Just last night I was fed as miraculously as Elijah was fed by the ravens!” Bruce had told his friends about the trick he had pulled on his aunt. So now Bruce and his friends began to laugh.

“Tell us about it,” Bruce said, glancing around at his friends with a smirk.

Aunt Martha looked up bravely and told everything that had happened. “Last night I had nothing left in the house to eat. I was very hungry, so I asked the Lord to send me some bread. I prayed for a long time, but at last I arose from my knees. I’m sure you will only laugh, but there on the table was a loaf of bread. I divided that loaf into three parts, so it would last me for three days. I thanked God for every bite I took from my first portion.”

Now Bruce burst out with laughter. “But I am the one you should thank; I placed that loaf of bread on your table myself!” All his friends joined Bruce in laughing at his aunt.

After the laughter had died down, Martha looked at her nephew and calmly said, “Elijah did not thank the ravens, Bruce.”

Silence filled the room. Bruce flushed in anger and muttered, “You’re just an old hypocrite. Just go home, and I hope I never see you again!”

With quiet dignity Martha replied, “I would not have come if you hadn’t invited me, Bruce. I thank you for what you have given me. For the rest you must answer to God.” So saying, she quietly left the room. As she reached for her coat, however, Betty joined her. “Let me help you with your coat,” Betty offered. Soon several guests respectfully gathered around her, too. How sorry they were to have made fun of this godly woman! Seeing how things had turned out, Bruce ordered the car to be brought. Martha was driven home in comfort.

The Lord richly blessed Martha’s testimony of faith. The next morning Betty came to Martha’s home and said, “I was very impressed with what I heard you say at the table yesterday. Won’t you please pray for me? I am such a sinful person; I miss what you have. Please teach me how to pray.”

Martha’s heart was filled with humble gratitude to God. She prayed that the Lord would guide her in explaining to Betty the way of salvation which the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of needy sinners.

— JL

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