September 26: Loaves and Love

Be an Example of Hope, Week One

Loaves and Love

My friend's grandson asked if she could take him downtown the following Saturday. She assumed it was for an event or to meet his friends. However, he said he was preparing sack lunches to give to the homeless in the area. He wished he had enough to serve everyone, but that wasn’t going to stop him from being a blessing to those that he could serve. There was a ripple effect. His grandmother was touched and offered to help him make additional lunches. Several more friends donated funds and food. The grandson’s initial plan to share a dozen or so lunches grew to an amount that would bless nearly ten times more people than he expected. After they had passed out the meals, he smiled and said, “Now I know how the little boy felt in the bible story… he had a little, but with Jesus and love, you get a whole lot more.”

John 6:9-11
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

(Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.)

Resources and Links
Offering of letters - Bread for the World’s annual Offering of Letters campaign engages churches, campuses, and other faith communities in writing letters to Congress and present them as an offering to God before mailing them. Engage in a family offering of letters. http://www.bread.org/2017-offering-letters

Volunteer at food bank - Search out food banks in your local area. Ask the organizations what items they need and go as a family unit to donate. Ask if there are volunteer opportunities for adults and children to work together. http://www.gcfb.org/about_gcfb

Sheila Spencer, Director Christian Education/Faith Formation & Assistant to the President of Disciples Home Missions

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.