And a child shall lead them....

As I prepare for this Sunday, reading and praying about the feeding of the 5000, I find myself feeling short of time.  Have you ever had a period in your life when you were literally just checking off the “to-do” list praying “If I just get through these next few days, I will be able to breathe”?  Well that is where I am.

I am reminded by this scripture that through Christ all things are possible.  Even though I start each day earlier and try to stay up just one more hour I feel there is not going to be enough to do what needs to be done.    Just as the crowds and disciples are thinking there is not enough food for those gathered around Christ.  And then one boy offered to share and the crowd was given hope.  And in that hope there was enough. 

Was there enough because Jesus actually multiplied the bread or was it enough because the people were able to take only what they needed?  Maybe some people passed on the bread realizing that they could wait until they got home, that it was the fear of no bread that made them hungry.  Maybe one boy inspired others to share. 

And when they were satisfied, he told the disciples “Gather the fragments left over so that nothing may be lost” (John 6:12).  When they were done they had filled 12 baskets. 

                Leftovers?  How could there be leftovers?  At the end of each of our days we have remnants, fragments, pieces leftover.  If we gather them up we will see all that our day held.  It is at the end of the day that I can examine what fills my time, I can be amazed at all that was accomplished, I can thank God for allowing Christ to show up in the midst of my dismay and be thankful that in spite of my fear and worries that there is enough. 

                Quite often what I am most grateful for as I examine the fragments of the day, are the unintended, not scheduled events that have allowed me to be fed, coming from the least likely of places similar to the bounty held in one boys lunch sack.