Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
While growing up, my family was very close to another family. So close, in fact, that our parents purchased a farm in the country together. Nearly every weekend, both of our families would head out to Indiana and share life together. The memories I carry with me from this time are some of the best from my childhood.
Between the two families (including the adults) there were thirteen of us. Together, we were like one big, happy family. I’m sure the neighbors didn’t quite know what to think of us.
The farmhouse was over 100 years old when we purchased it—so old that it didn’t have indoor plumbing. Eventually we upgraded the place with running water but for a while, we had to use an outhouse. Using and outdoor potty was an experience that made me greatly appreciate the modern efficiency of indoor plumbing.
The sixty-three acres of land gave us suburban folks the chance to experience God’s magnificent creation up close and personal.
Many times extended family and friends would pop in for a visit around dinner time. Our moms used to joke and say that Jesus was going to have to perform a miracle so there would be enough food to go around.
Even though our parents were unprepared for more dinner guests, they would never dream of sending people away. They always said that God would make sure we had enough to go around. And guess what; He always did! Not only was there enough to go around, but like Jesus’ miracle with the fishes and loaves, we even had leftovers.
“As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.
“And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” (Matthew 14:15-21)
What we have to offer might not seem like much to some, but in the hands of Jesus, it’s more than enough.