The Packed lunch

One of the greatest stories that lives within me from the account of the life of Jesus is the feeding of the five thousand.

You may be thinking who is Jesus? Let’s just say he is the person who has most influenced my life.

So I remember one day he was doing this massive teaching session. Thousands of people would come to hear him and on this occasion, they ran out of food.

The guy that he is, he felt for the people but it was late and let’s say whoever was to organise the caterers didn't. So he told his team to go amongst the people and see if anyone had food. I wasn't sure what he was thinking but this is what he said.

They found only one person with food and he was a young boy. I remember because he seemed to be of a similar age to me.

His mother had packed a lunch for him and here he was offering it. He seemed reluctant only because he thought there must be better than what he had. I had noticed him moving forward and then stopping unsure whether he should trouble the team with what he thought was meagre.

When he gave it to one of the team they didn't seem convinced either.

After a while, they all went back to Jesus and no one had anything apart from the packed lunch. Even then the team member said nothing. Frustrated Jesus said, “ Lads we must have something?”

Reluctantly the packed lunch was offered. He took it and said, “This will do!”

He then, I know you will find it hard to believe as I did too, asked the Father of us all that he would provide enough food for all the people and somehow from that packed lunch all the people were fed.

Now, what did I learn from that day?

No matter what you have, even if you think it is little, like the boy’s lunch, it can do something. Don’t shy away offer what you have and see what happens.

It will only grow when you let go!

g