By MaryBeth Eberhard
“Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.” ~ John 6: 5-6
Why must we see to believe? Why do we always need proof to accept what is right before our eyes, that which has been proven to us throughout generations?
Our God is a Provider
I think back to the Hebrews enslaved by the Egyptians and how God provided a rescue for them. He not only rescued them but also fed them and provided a home for them. There are many stories in scripture of God’s provision when a person stays in conversation with the Lord. A steady conversation flows from a healthy relationship. We worry less when we remain in relationship with the Lord.
Today’s gospel reminds me of a time when we opened our home to local seminarians for dinner. This is a common invitation from my family, as our charism is hospitality, and we love to welcome them into the fold of family life. In this situation, I received a call from one of the seminarians asking if I minded if he brought a friend or two to dinner. With a family of 10, adding another person or two to feed is not a game changer.
However, when dinner time came, and the cars started arriving, I was surprised that not only one car, but four cars arrived in my driveway, and not only one person came out of each car but a couple! I shook my head when, in the last car, literally five men unfolded themselves from that car. My children saw the look on my face as I mentally calculated how we would feed everyone who had arrived. As the men began a game of frisbee with a couple of my sons, the others and I quickly began to pull out leftovers from the fridge to supplement the pot of chili we had made. We heated them up, placed them in our fancy dishes, and created a buffet for dinner. We added more sauce to the chili to stretch it a bit more. My son found a bag of chips to put out. Veggies in the crisper were quickly peeled and made into a haphazard veggie tray. By the time they came in for dinner, we had quite the smorgasbord, and they were all so very grateful. (My kids were also grateful that leftovers were gone for the week!)
God Knows How to Feed Us
The lesson behind this story, that we as a family talk about often, is to have confidence in God’s provision. We did not think we had enough to care for these hungry people, and God showed us we indeed had enough. We had just what they needed. Those men left not only physically full but spiritually full as well. Time with each other outside of classes and time spent relaxing with a family was just what they needed. They did not care at all what they were eating but were grateful for the time spent together. They trusted they would be fed.
Our modern world tends to require that we have everything in order for good to happen. We wait to get married, wait to have kids, wait to travel, and wait to have people over till everything is in order. The reality is, there will never be a perfect time when life is in perfect order here on Earth. When we stay in relationship with the Lord, as close as His apostles were, and tell Him, “Hey, I set the table for 10, but there are actually 19 people here. What do you think we should do?”
That’s where the miracles happen, and we can sit back and watch Him unfold His glory in our lives and in the lives of those around us. This father of provision, just like when he fed these 5,000, is a God of blessing. He cares for His people’s needs. Let’s place our trust in Him and, like all who were present at this miracle, marvel at what He can do.
Prayer
Help us place our trust in you in difficult moments, dear Lord, so that turning to you in joyful ones becomes a common practice of gratitude. Help us to recognize your presence in all we meet, speak and help today.
Call to Action
Take a moment today to think about what you have asked of God in your life and reflect on how He has provided for it in His way. Then, write it down and add to it as you train yourself to look for Him in all things.
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Wow! Just wow! You really brought home the message of trust. And your kids have that same trust in our Lord! Thank you!
Marybeth,
The way you write I was really drawn into the day you had the seminarians at your home. I could imagine your look of surprise when a few extra arrived, but undaunted you and your children got to work making a yummy meal. I wish I were there! Thank you for reminding me that God always provides. You and your family have a beautiful charism.