Reflecting on the miracle of the loaves and fishes in John 6, I am always struck by Andrew’s hesitant question: “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”
It is a question many of us ask when facing overwhelming odds. Yet, when we walk with Jesus, our perceived inadequacy ceases to be an obstacle. We enter this world with nothing, and apart from God, we remain empty. But when surrendered to him, our small offerings are always enough.
I experienced this truth deeply during my son’s recent graduation. Attending this milestone is a dream for any parent, and I had saved diligently for it. However, God’s timeline proved different from my own. Stranded at the airport during a fierce typhoon, watching the clock tick closer to the ceremony, anxiety threatened to overwhelm me.
In that moment of chaos, scripture anchored my heart. I recalled Jesus’ instruction in John 6:10: “Make the people sit down.” I surrendered my panic to the storm and prayed, “Thy will be done,” placing the day completely into his hands.
Though I missed the formal ceremony, God brought me to my son’s side immediately afterward. It was a poignant reminder that God operates on a far grander schedule than our own.
Looking at him holding his degree, John 6:12 came to mind: “Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” Every hardship, every tear, and every sacrifice we shared felt like those gathered fragments. In God’s hands, none of it was wasted. He took the broken pieces of our struggles and multiplied them into a future rich with promise.
His love for us will always be greater than our deepest fears.
Carolyn Tapel
