More Than Enough

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. – Mark 6:41-44 (NRSV)

How many loaves and fish were there again? How many people were fed? Do you know how that happened? What does this make you think about Jesus? What is possible with God?

Recently First Presbyterian Church helped a man who had been homeless get a home to call his own. People came together and donated items with which to fill the new home. Over 25 people worked in various capacities painting, fixing, moving, and loving, pouring the love of Christ into a situation that seemed hopeless only months before. It was incredible!
Today I received a call from a man who had donated some items who is a member of a different church. He told me that the recent economy had been hard on him, and for a while he had been wondering what he could do. Finding little work available was making him discouraged, then he saw pictures of the joy pour out of the simple place for which he donated items to help make a home. In seeing those pictures he felt called by God to use his talents to help the poor and needy have homes that are more beautiful. “I have talents God has given me, and here I am wondering how to use them. Then when I saw that picture it hit me. I can give the love of Christ by using my talents to help people who could never afford what I do.”

The thing about Jesus feeding all those people is that it demonstrates that a little can become a lot in the hands of Jesus. Some people decided to help a homeless person when they only had a little with which to help, but they put it in Jesus’ hands. Now by the grace of God he has a home and the fact that he has a home has caused someone else to decide to pour out the love of Christ upon others. Often times we do not have much to give to those in need, especially when we seem to be in need ourselves. However, we must give, because when we put what we have in the hands of Jesus there is no telling how many people will be fed!

With hope and joy,
Garrett