Andrew: I met a young boy in the crowd carrying five barley loaves and two fish, but that is practically useless in feeding a crowd this large. – John 6:9
The five loaves and two fish were a perfect match for the needs of the young boy who had packed them. But when matched against the huge hunger of the 5,000+ crowd, these resources were practically useless…until the Word gave thanks for them and released them to meet the needs of the people.
When you’re surrounded by huge need, meager resources, unpaid bills, motivated debt collectors and huge pressure from every side to provide “bricks without straw”, remember two things.
Give thanks and then give what you have.
Gratitude and generosity.
These two things might feel utterly redundant and practically useless in meeting the demands of the situation you’re facing. But given that worrying, complaining, grumbling, fretting, panicking and resentment aren’t giving you the results you need…try giving thanks and then giving what you have.
They’re not as weak and “useless” as they might appear.