One of my favorite things to do is read stories in the Bible that I remember from when I was a kid. Growing up in church as a pastor’s kid, I’ve seen my share of Bible stories acted out, put on a felt board, or shared from a puppet.

But don’t be fooled. While they are incredible stories that can captivate kids & make Jesus real to them, it’s also solid truth from God’s Word. And no matter how many felt board or puppet versions I’ve seen, God always manages to teach me something new.

For the last week, I’ve been studying the Feeding of the 5,000. Granted, it’s one of my favorites, but it’s also one of the stories that made it into all 4 Gospel accounts – Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14. (If God made a story appear in the Bible 4 times, it just might be important!) 

Here are my top takeaways during this season as a young mother: (Warning: Each of these may become their own blogs in the next few weeks.) 

People are watching how we respond during hard times.

John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin. He was the one who baptized Jesus. They were close, not just as relatives, but because they were on the same mission. In fact, Jesus even said “there is no one greater than John” (Luke 7:28). So the news of his beheading was so much for Jesus that he withdrew from the crowds to a boat to get away with the disciples.

But it was when the boat landed on the other side of the shore that the multitudes appeared. To share their condolences? I doubt it. I can’t help but think that those who were curious about the authenticity of Jesus came out of the woodworks to see how Jesus would respond in tragedy. And he responded by welcoming them, sharing God with them & meeting their needs (Luke 9:11).

God can take our little to do much.

I highly doubt that little boy intended to be part of a miracle that day. I bet he didn’t expect Jesus to be able to take his small lunch & feed everyone in the crowd.

But he was willing to say, “This is what I’ve got, Lord. And if you can use it, it’s yours.”

Are there areas of your life you’ve been holding back from God because it’s not enough? Because you think there’s no way He could ever use something so small & insignificant?

Christine Caine puts it this way:

“If the little boy had kept his lunch, it would have remained little. In the same way, if we keep our little, it will remain little. But when we give our little to God, He can take our limits & multiply it in His limitless power.”

Don’t keep your little. Give it to God, and let Him do much.

Mundane mom tasks are ministry.

For the last week, I’ve packed Noah’s lunch with less pout & more purpose. While we don’t know anything about her, I sure like to use my imagination thinking about the mom who perhaps packed that little boy’s lunch that day.

Maybe there was a special tug in her heart that made her whisper an extra prayer over her little boy for boldness while she packed the food. Or maybe she was having an overwhelmed moment and begged God to remind her that what she does matters. We’ll never know this side of heaven.

But regardless of who packed the lunch, someone in his household led that little boy to trust Jesus. I have three boys (one big, two little) in my house, and none of them get excited about the idea of sharing their food.

But that little boy knew giving to Jesus & making a personal sacrifice was the right thing to do. He learned that from someone. Never allow yourself to believe the lie that investing in a child is a secondary purpose. Motherhood is a high calling & not for sissies.

If you give it, He won’t waste it.

In Luke 6:12, Jesus instructs the disciples to gather up the leftover food so none would be wasted. (That’s right – 5,000 men + women + children + 5 loaves + 2 fish = leftovers. Crazy.)

I’ll be honest. God doesn’t need us. He will accomplish our purpose with or without us. If we don’t, the rocks will cry out (Luke 19:40).

But if we’re willing, He will use us & allow us to be a part of His purpose. His purpose becomes our purpose.

Just give it to Him — your past, your ability, your mistakes, your future — and He’ll do so much with it that you’ll never even know its full reach.

What’s one of your favorite childhood Bible stories you love reading as an adult?

A few months ago, Noah got spooked by a low-flying very loud airplane that flew over our house. We had a large bay window in our bedroom, and for weeks following that moment, anytime he heard a loud noise or any kind of airplane, he ran to us with full tears.

James or I, sometimes both, would hold him close, stroking his hair or his face gently, reminding him, “It’s okay, baby. It was just an airplane.”

This morning, I was getting dressed for church, leaving the boys alone in the living room. Mascara wand in hand, (the final touch on my make-up), I heard Cole begin to cry.

Since I am a a single mom on Sunday mornings (as are most pastor’s wives), I decided to finish my make-up quickly, since I knew Cole was probably just hungry. But when the crying stopped, my curiosity got the best of me.

I exited our bedroom, peering around the corner where I had left Cole lying in his bouncy seat.

Tears filled my eyes as I saw Noah leaning over his little brother repeating over and over, “It’s K, baby Tole. Just a pear-plane.” (Noah Translation: “It’s okay, Baby Cole. It was just an airplane.”)

Noah alternated between gently stroking his brother’s legs and his arms. I got over to them just in time to snap this photo of Noah kissing the top of Cole’s head.

To my knowledge, there was no airplane that flew over. In his 3-year-old logic, though, Noah knew that’s what had made him cry most recently, so he took his experience & comforted his baby brother.

James 1:2 encourages us to consider it joy during hard times, but I doubt many would admit to enjoying pain, fear, persecution, or trials. It’s not comfortable. It’s not convenient.

But if we use our pain to help others, it’s also not wasted.

Romans 5:3-4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverence; perseverence, character; and character, hope.”

I once heard it said:

“Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”

I’m consistently asked if I wish my eating disorder didn’t happen. And while it was a very dark time in my life, I’ve seen God use it so many times for His good and the benefit of others that I can’t wish it away. Too much good (though unknown at the time) has come from it.

But it doesn’t simply mean you have to have gone something unusually tragic to be able to minister to others.

Maybe you just remember what it was like to deal with the stress of high school, and you can spend time loving & serving the students in your youth group.

Maybe you just know how hard it was to get a shower when you were a young mom with small kids, and you can volunteer to come over once a week to give her an hour to herself.

Maybe you just remember a time when unexpected encouragement turned your entire day around, and you can pay the encouragement forward daily.

What “airplane” do you have in your past that you can use to draw others to Him?

As a stay at home mom who has a home business, I don’t get out much. Especially during cold and flu season with a newborn. On top of that, add the additional challenge that I’m an extravert, and in The Five Love Languages, I am off-the-charts “words of affirmation.”

Mark Twain said, “I can live two months on a good compliment.” That is absolutely true for me.

So when my interactions with others are limited and I encounter a negative comment, it can bring me down quickly…especially if it’s one that’s not rooted in truth.

Recently, I was nursing Cole, which is one of my main times of day that I pray. (I become a much better prayer warrior when I’m breastfeeding!) I was mulling over a situation in my heart when God reminded me of Psalm 61:2:

“From the end of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

So at 3am, I went to “the rock” and had some sweet time with Jesus. During our time together, He whispered this verse in my ear:

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then, your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6

How wonderful is our God that He knows the fruits in our lives that aren’t on display – the things that don’t get attention or applause?

Stay at home mom who selflessly cares for your kids 24/7, He sees you.

Business man who witnesses to colleagues at work, He sees you.

Friend who always has an encouraging word, He sees you.

He gave me this sweet image. I was alone with God and opening a treasure box with my name written on it. So simple, but gave me such a calming peace in my heart.

Isn’t it kind of sweet to think that you have a few secrets with the God who created the universe?

Many of the things you do for the name of Christ may go largely unnoticed by the world. But that is your least important audience.

Remember – God sees everything, He is the only audience that matters, & will reward you greater than anyone in this world can.

So in difficult seasons, friends, remember the words of the apostle Paul:

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).