Loaves

Do you have those requests that nag at the back of your mind, yet you do not utter because they seem a little small? In the grand scheme of things, some of the concerns I have, it’s very easy to say, this is too little. Even typing that it sounds ridiculous, every prayer God hears. He knows. He has compassion.

You see, my little request, is my cat that adopted us. Our Milo has been missing since Sunday night. I wish he wasn’t an outdoor cat, that he had front claws, and that I kept a tracking device on him. Since he adopted us, we have gotten quite used to him coming and going as he pleases. He’s done this before…So periodically through the day yesterday and into the night, people were opening the door to check.

Or first world problems, like a washer that needs some tweaking. Or a car that needs some work. You name it, right? You know that small request that you wonder, does this matter to God too? Let me share a story with you from Matthew 15.

“Then Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and have nothing [left] to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, because they might faint [from exhaustion] on the way [home].” The disciples said to Him, “Where are we to get enough bread in this isolated place to feed so large a crowd?” And Jesus asked them, “How many loaves [of bread] do you have?” They replied, “Seven, and a few small fish.” He directed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and when He had given thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the people. And they all ate and were satisfied, and they gathered up seven full baskets of the broken pieces that were left over. [Among] those who ate were 4,000 men, not counting women and children.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭32‬-‭38‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.15.32-38.AMP

The crowds won’t leave Jesus. They are staying and hoping for healings, words of teaching, encouragement, you name it. They have heard Jesus confront the Pharisees and teachers. Seen him interact with the Gentile woman begging for mercy for herself and her child.

I’ll be honest, after three days of not eating, it would be tempting to leave and find some food. There is no record of complaining of hunger. Yet Jesus sees this most basic building block of life and has compassion. He sees their need.

Granted, food is much more important then the whereabouts of a little cat or a washer or a car, but I am so blessed to remember that God sees. He sees our needs and our wants. The blessing of this story to me, today, is my whole life is seen before God.

Whatever my prayer request, whatever my need, God knows it before I even ask. (Matthew 6:8) He takes what we have and he builds a meal which is exponentially greater than what we seen or know.

I am touched by the example of Jesus to stop and give thanks. A good reminder for me. Maybe this is taking this too far, but his next step is to have the disciples pass the meal. 4000 people not including women and children. God’s blessing of food through Jesus and carried to the people by his disciples. Something Jesus called each of them to do. Take his life (bread) and go to the farthest reaches of the wold.

Thank you, Jesus, for your word, for your eyes upon us and for seeing us. Thank you for your compassion. thank you for your life.