The boy burst into his house, talking a mile a minute. His mama looked up from her work, exhausted and hot, the worries of caring for her family weighing on her heavily.
That morning her son had asked to go listen to the man named Jesus. He had asked for some lunch. This boy, she had sighed. He was always hungry. Since her husband died, she struggled to feed the children, never quite sure how she would stretch their meager ingredients. She knew his stomach rumbled as his body stretched up. All she could spare was four loaves and one fish. How was she going to keep feeding her family like this? Her thoughts stopped when she caught what he was saying—
“And Mama, I gave Him my five loaves and two fish…”
She shot him a look and his eyes grew wide. He’d given himself away. Right before he left, he had snuck another loaf and another fish. He knew it was wrong. It’s just that she had packed him next to nothing. He didn’t think she’d notice.
“I’m sorry, really I am,” he put his hand on her arm. “But Mama! Just listen to what happened!”
He recounted the crowd on the hillside, how the disciples had asked for food and he had given his lunch, how he’d watched with his own eyes as the food had multiplied. He told her how everyone ate—that the disciples had gathered 12 whole baskets of leftovers. She sunk to her knees. How?
The boy took her hands in hers. “If Jesus could provide enough for the massive crowd today, God will provide for us,” he told her. Tears sprang to her eyes and peace flooded her body. Her was right, of course. God had used what little they had to do extraordinary things. He would not forget them in their need.
I’ve obviously taken liberties with this story from Scripture. But I’ve often thought of the unnamed mama of the boy who brought his lunch to the meadow on the day Jesus fed the 5000. What an amazing gift she gave to her son, to have a front row seat to such a miracle. I can’t help but wonder how it shaped her faith and the faith of those in her family.
You never know what small, seemingly insignificant thing you may be doing that will have a great impact on the Kingdom of God. As you go throughout your day today, think of that mama and how the ripple effect of her small lunch continues today. And then go and do likewise.
