“And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full and those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
Matthew 14: 20-21
You fed 5000, Lord?
I panic with feeding 10 people at Thanksgiving.
And that is after weeks planning, shopping, stewing over details.
The multiplications of loaves and fishes – what a miracle to ponder.
My eyes keep falling though, on the phrase “broken pieces.”
You tenderly gathered these leftovers, these unused fragments together – to be drawn upon later I am sure.
You do the same with our brokenness too.
Presently the hurts, mistakes, cruel words pile up – of little benefit.
Yet I firmly believe, Lord, you fold them into your heart for future purpose.
I don’t know how. I don’t know when. But you will work a miracle again with my broken pieces.
I am amazed at this miracle – one that appears in all four gospels – that demonstrates your resourcefulness.
How can I ever doubt that you won’t supply my needs? If you call me to your work, you will provide for whatever you ask me to do.
I bring to you my meager offering – small, insignificant like five loaves and two tiny sardines – and you create a feast beyond imagination.
Your touch takes my impossible inadequacies and transforms them into far- reaching possibilities.
My human eyes only see obstacles where you see opportunity.
Impossible to us, achievable to you.
Only with you.
Only with your touch.
A miracle.
Hmm…broken pieces. I’m glad you picked up on that, Jean, and passed it along to us. Not sure I’ve paid attention to that before. That’s one reason I love Lectio so much! The Lord uses is to show us big things through tiny things.
i certainly agree with you about lectio – always deepening our lessons. This miracle story is so full of lessons too. I think I could dig into its meanings for a long time. I was hit on how Jesus was grieving in this passage too. Have a blessed week, Lisa!
Exactly what our pastor preached on today. God can take those broken pieces in us, if we give them over to Him, and make them into wondrous gifts and offerings to His great glory. Blessings, Jean!
So many lessons to this miracle story. Even the thought that Jesus was grieving thus understands our grief too. And these broken pieces, what do you think happened to them? I imagine they were used to feed more people. Not that is a thought. Our broken pieces gathered up and loved, feeding others.
Have a great week, Martha. We take off tomorrow for NC and a bible story telling conference. Looking forward to that. back next Sunday. Blessings!
Have a marvelous trip, Jean! Enjoy!