Good morning…
Just like the miraculous multiplication which fed 5,000 hungry people (with leftovers to spare), we each shared our own puny fish, our own little loaves. One friend donated a tree skirt and a handful of heart ornaments. Another brought lights – some big, some small, some colored, some white – along with some jingling bells and random ornaments. A friend who came down with COVID was unable to join us but she still sent her huge, handsome tree topper. A longtime friend fluffed up the artificial branches, making them feel a bit more real. Another wore her festive candy cane antlers, just to spruce up our Friday morning fun. Me? I had rummaged through our family’s ornament bins to share heaping handfuls of our own happy favorites.
We each gave our imperfect little gifts, and God’s Spirit multiplied magically. Joy, laughter, generosity spread. We discussed donating gifts for the parents of the children in the PAWkids after school program – most raising their kids in poverty, one family living in their car – and for the generous handyman who helped assemble the tree, who, by choice, lives in the nearby woods. We enjoyed exploring the PAWkids campus and brainstorming about how to sell the bracelets the kids make each week. Our creativity even morphed into a mission opportunity for the women’s garden club; fruitful ideas flourished. Then we scooped up our leftovers and got in our cars, leaving for home with much more than we brought.
Remember the miracle of the fish and the loaves, a story which is recorded in all four gospels? Then Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks to God and passed them out to the people. Afterwards he did the same with the fish. And everyone ate until full! (John 6:11, TLB). As we stood back and marveled at our quirky Christmas tree, I felt joyfully caught up in our own loaves and fish tale.
Now let’s give thanks to God and pass along our own tiny gifts, as the Spirit multiplies before our eyes and we all eat until we’re full!
…Sue…
P.S. On Wednesday, another small group of us will set up for our forty-one kids a Secret Santa Shop, allowing them to choose, wrap, and take home gifts for their loved ones. Please text me at 404-401-8317 if you feel drawn to donate gift items or to join in the life-giving fun from 3:00 to 5:30 pm at PAWkids.
