"How can one feed

these people with bread here

    in this desolate place?"

And He asked them,

  "How many loaves do

                  you have?"

             Mark 8. 4-5

(This verse always reminds me

of the movie One Fine Day

when the mom keeps

pulling out of her purse

   whatever is needed at the moment.

God does the same for us.

God equips us for ministry

       in unexpected ways

       and in unlikely places

with resources and strength

  we didn't know we had.

What are we holding in our hands?

   More than we realize

   when we come before Him

              with a willing heart.

All given before Him

                  is multiplied.

          Nothing wasted.

          More than enough

God's fundamental law

                of leftovers

   is that He does not just add,

                  but multiplies.

We are faithful to make bread

        on ordinary mornings,

to do what He has placed before us,

to use what He has put in our hands

              and on our hearts.

We have no idea how God

         enlarges and deepens it.)

O LORD,

Help us to see where we are

    not as desolate as we thought,

    but where Your glory is seen.

May we realize that

             You multiply

  in a billion different dimensions.

Your glory triumphs,

     not circumstances.

With You, O LORD,

the landscape

             and our lives look

                very different.

We do not just see need.

    We can respond to it

    with a new heart.

Not what I don't have,

    but what I can do

in Your strength

and for Your glory.