Filling the need

The disciples said, "Where are we to get enough bread. . .?" Jesus asked, "How many. . .?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." Then ordering the crowd to sit down. . .he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them. . .and all of them ate and were filled; Matthew 15:33-37

This was the most popular story in the gospels - it is told 6 times in the four gospels. And I think it says much more to us than just feeding a multitude of people. Thanksgiving is coming up and a lot of churches will feed a multitude of people around our country, and that's a good thing. But I think it also speaks to us about the graciousness of God to take the meager things we offer up to him, and to multiply it to satisfy the need. I remember that my son was working for a local contractor one summer. He and his friend had been left to paint a front porch with one bucket of paint. They had used it quite liberally and realized that they still had half a porch to paint and only a quarter of a bucket of paint. Andy remembered this story and these two 20 year old boys, in faith, stuck out their hands over the bucket and prayed for God to multiply it to be enough - and it was. God can and will do that in any area of our life when we offer it up to him in faith. Whether it's paint, or chicken salad, or our own skills and abilities, when we offer it up to God, it will always fill the need and be more than we could have imagined.