Half or Double?

2 Kings 2: 9

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"  "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.

I woke up this morning missing home. This storm made me wish I was a daughter again - enjoying my favorite champorado for breakfast and mom’s tamarind soup for lunch, yum! She delighted in serving the best meal when everyone’s around. We’d lazily stay longer in bed or watch a good dvd while she labored long (and alone) in the kitchen ‘til our feast is ready.  I miss those pamper years. Being on the giving end now makes me all the more appreciate my mother’s love and sacrifices. She did it to us for thirty six years. I’m on this job minus thirty and plus complaints. I know still have a lot to learn – not just recipes, but character as well.  Wish I could be at least half her good, for the other half means starting my day at 4am.  Oh well! Maybe on my twentieth year, hahaha :>

Elisha was the kind of student who never settled for anything less. When asked by Elijah for a final wish before his whirlwind, heavenward journey, he did not humbly say ‘be half as good as you’- although considering his mentor’s amazing resume, half is already much. Elisha’s request was to inherit a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. For Israelites, it doesn’t mean doubly better. A double portion was their allotment for firstborns. Yes, literally having two portions of the inheritance, but more as a means to continue their father’s work. It meant acquiring the responsibility and owning the authority for the family line. It was admirable for Elisha to ask that from an itinerant prophet, who was not his father in the first place. Surely he wasn’t after worldy wealth, unless Elijah kept those ravens as pets, haha :> It was the sweetest thing a son could ask from his father – the promise to keep his legacy, the proof he valued his life’s work. Elijah reminded him it was a difficult task to ask, and it wasn’t for him to decide. But if God would grant it, his mentee would continue the unpopular battle against royalty and idolatry. It was his best send off party.  God rewarded his faithfulness in discipling Elisha by seeing his faith and hope alive in him. I’m sure Elijah felt accomplished and complete, and loved. Even before the fiery chariots arrived, he was all up and ready to go.

God designed relationships to be both horizontal and vertical in nature. Horizontal is that part where friendship reigns and mutual care is present. It’s what most people long and enjoy. To have someone to be with, share with, live with. The vertical side is that which exist between parents and kids, bosses and employees, teachers and students, God and man. It’s quite unpopular for those on the down side. We seem to be at the mercy of their will, living under their shadows, doing insignificant, considered-menial jobs. What we fail to see is the privilege of learning from these great beings. What we fail to dream is to receive their double portion. To be like them. To walk in their shoes. At this point in my life, there are a times I wish I could turn back time, be under their tutelage and exhaust their wisdom. There’s more to give now if only I listened more, gathered more back then. Half-full is still half-empty.  And what if the next generation follows our lead. Ever imagined a world of quarter-full peeps? Yup, that’s nearly empty :<