Of Loaves and Fishes

We bring the “loaves and fishes”…

Thinking back to when the idea of establishing a seasonal “Good Food Market” (GFM) was being shaped, I remember reflecting on the story of the boy with his loaves and fishes. It's a miraculous tale of how a young boy brought what little he had to Jesus and, somehow, those few loaves and fishes were multiplied to feed a large crowd. His meager lunch must have looked so pitiful. How could such an insignificant offering make any impact? The need was so great and yet this was all there was.

For me, this market felt like we too were bringing just a small offering before an unquenchable need and I too wondered how could this possibly be of any value? But the young boy's story continues. After Jesus gave thanks for what they had, not only was the entire crowd fed, but there were leftovers!

We've been through three summers now with the GFM and, oh, the stories I could tell! I could tell you of the families we met week after week in Capri Park. Or the volunteers who gave so generously and consistently over those 14 weeks each year. How we received funding from the Eastern Synod and government grants that allowed us to hire a student. But mostly, I would tell you of the conversations we had and the relationships we formed.

I don't know how the boy's loaves and fishes were multiplied in Jesus' day. But I can say as we have brought what we have, we have seen abundance and generosity from those around us. It truly is miraculous!

Perhaps that is the reason why we bring our own “loaves and fishes”. Even though the need is so great, as we bring in faith what we have, we see our generosity multiply. We see the work of our Heavenly Father who is eternal and who provides for our needs. So, this month, as we hear fresh stories from this community of God's provision, remember that what you bring, however small and insignificant, matters not for it is Christ who sees the heart and multiplies our offering.

Dave Pascoe, Volunteer with the Good Food Market