“But Jesus said, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘We have only five loaves here and two fish.’” Matthew 14: 16-17 ESV
Being a mom is tiring, but do you know what is more tiring?
Trying to be a perfect mom.
In the shower one evening, I recounted the failures of the day, as hot water ran down my drooping shoulders. Hoping the water would wash away my feelings of inadequacy, I poured out my heart to God, one tearful, unrealized hope at a time.
Like me, do you desire to teach and model the gospel each day, but your best attempts often fall short? We certainly fall short of glorifying God in motherhood because of our sin (Romans 3:23). However, we are often weighed down because of unrealistic expectations and a lack of grace toward ourselves.
In Matthew 11:30, Jesus tells us his yoke is easy and his burden is light, so the real question is:
What does God expect of me?
There is an answer in the feeding of the 5,000.
In Mark 6, after John the Baptist died, the disciples were grieved and depleted. In fact, they had been too busy tending to the needs of others to eat. As moms, we sometimes miss a meal, are dealing with our own heartaches, and crave time away to rest from the demands of the day.
Jesus led the disciples away for a time of much needed rest, but the crowd followed. Jesus had compassion on the crowd “because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).” Jesus saw the interruption as an opportunity.
Do I notice opportunities to tend to the deep spiritual needs of my children when they are disguised as interruptions?
As evening grew near, the disciples were faced with another predicament. How would they feed 5,000 people in a desolate place with a lack of adequate resources? Like the disciples, when I realize my resources are diminished, I frequently suggest my people go somewhere else to fulfill their needs (Matthew 14:15).
Yet, Jesus looked at the disciples and said, “they need not go away; you give them something to eat” and they logically responded with, “but we only have five loaves and two fish here (Matthew 14:16-17).” They were so focused on the problem they forgot to stop and ask Jesus for provision.
We too lose hope when we look within ourselves and realize our lack. Yet, God’s provision is not dependent on our perfect performance. God’s provision is freely given by His grace and for His glory.
Jesus knew all along the disciples did not have enough to give and sweet friend He knows you and I are in the same predicament. God does not ask us to wear ourselves out attempting to be perfect providers. By faith, a child brought Jesus all he had and by grace Jesus miraculously provided for the needs of 5,000 people (John 6:9).
Friends, all we are required to do is faithfully give Jesus all we have, trusting Him to abundantly fill the spiritual needs of those around us (John 6:35; Matthew 14:18-19). By faith, may we obediently bring Jesus what little we have because in His hands our little becomes a lot.
More to Consider:
I love how you took the scripture and made it relatable! You are doing great with what God has given you!
Crista, thank you so much for taking the time to read and to encourage my heart. Love you!