Sunday Reflections: A Thanksgiving

"When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.  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: 13-21 (NIV)

 

One of our student organizations decided to feed thirty of our district’s families with a Thanksgiving basket. I called a parent/guardians to see if they could use a Thanksgiving basket. There were no stipulations. No red tape. No proving who they are. No proving they are worthy of a free dinner. Each family who needed a meal on Thanksgiving Day gave thanks to me with an embarrassing measure of gratitude. I had to repeat that I was not the brain of the project only the tool and that they were welcome.

Voices that answered the phone, already defeated from getting a call from the school social worker, perked up when the dinner was offered.

Some said, “You have no idea what this means. “ (I thought, yes I do.)

One said, “I’ve lost my children’s social security cards.” I said, “You don’t have to prove anything.” (I thought, Jesus already knows you.)

It’s so easy to judge groups of people for whatever reason, but really is that our job as Christ's representative ? This coming holiday seasons, take your gift of plenty and share a little. You won’t be sorry.

May blessings of abundance and God’s peace be yours!

Teresa