I Send It Back

Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.

Matthew 15:27

The Canaanite woman is one of those “great faith” people in the Gospels. She cried out for Jesus to heal her demon-oppressed daughter but his response was soul-crushing: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

Any ordinary faith may at this point turn away in confused obedience. Yet even in what appeared to be a cold-blooded rejection, this remarkable woman saw a way forward: It may not be right for dogs like me, but they still find a way to eat and so shall I.

Let us likewise take whatever trouble the hand of Providence throws our way and send it back to God in even more humble faith.