Multiply The Little You Have

This past Sunday’s readings give us a look into what Jesus can do with a little. In John 6: 1-15 Jesus takes five barley loaves and two fish from a little boy and feeds five thousand people! The one thing that stands out to me is that right before he distributed the food, he gave thanks. I would love to know what he said in that prayer.

The other amazing thing is that there were 12 wicker baskets full of food left over after everyone had their fill. He took five loaves of bread and two fish and fed five thousand people and still had left-overs. I believe it was all because he gave thanks. He saw with his eyes what was there, gave thanks, and it multiplied. I will never look at left-overs the same again!

There’s a huge lesson in this. I’ve been in situations where I didn’t feel like I had enough and got fearful. I’ve opened the pantry or the refrigerator/freezer and thought….we don’t have enough to eat until the next time I get paid or until the next time I get to the store. Then fear sets in. I’ve also had times where I’ve thanked God for the terrible situation we were in, and it turned around.

Faith: Not seeing but believing. Think about that – seeing the bleak situation and believing otherwise. Really believing that what looks impossible, and what everyone around you is saying is impossible, EVEN your closest loved ones, and believing it to be otherwise. Even when there is physical evidence that it’s impossible! That’s real faith!

That’s what Jesus faced with the little bread and fish he had. And then he gave thanks. And a miracle happened. I pray that when we face these faithless situations before us, we remember this reading and we give thanks to God, despite what we see and are told. Then we can watch and be amazed as he works a miracle with what little we have.