Saturday 12 May 2012

Background

There's a knock at the door or a ring on the bell or a phonecall - "We're just round the corner and thought we'd drop in andsee you!"

Immediately we wonder if we have enough milk in the fridge orwhere we put that special tin of biscuits. And then, what if theyare expecting more than just a cuppa!?

Magnify the realisation that you might be facing a challenge bythe fact that you meant to get more milk but decided you had enoughfor breakfast and would buy some tomorrow. And then multiply thetension by several thousand expectant guests and you might justbegin to recognise with gripping anxiety of the disciples in ourreading for today.

No food. No handy supermarket. A vast crowd of tired, thirsty andhungry people and Jesus who simply tells them to feed them all andget on with it!

Debates have raged through the centuries about the amount of food,the number of people and where the food that was consumed camefrom. Did the sight of generosity on the part of one person shameall of the others to bring out their concealed supplies and sharethem? We don't really know.

What we do know is that Luke's Gospel tells us that Jesus tooksome small provisions and fed thousands!

How often in life is it the small things that delight us? Howoften is it the sudden idea or the individual committed tofollowing their dream that changes and challenges our society andimproves things along the way?

How often does a small spark light a flame of difference and therest, they say, is history?

Little things can mean a lot - and make a huge difference.

To Ponder

• Today look out for something or someone who gladdens yourheart.
   
• Consider what small thing someone has done or said to you thathas made a difference to your life. What could you do or say thatwould make a positive difference for someone else?
   
• Did you ever thank the person who made the difference for you?It's never too late to do so.