Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little [bit].”. . . Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. // John 6:7-11
I’ve told the story a hundred times, but my wonder only grows.
The doctors had grimly warned that I probably couldn’t have more children. Two back-to-back losses confirmed their bleak prognosis. I’d whispered a numb request to our family patron, Saint Jude: pray that we can raise just one more child?
A month later I held a positive test—but fear of more loss ruled over any thought of a miracle. Our precious son was due, then gloriously born, on Saint Jude’s feast day!—but I was initially ignorant to the date’s significance. The realization that we had witnessed—nay, participated in—a legitimate miracle would take months.
Yet as those months turned to years and our miracle son grew, so did my understanding, my belief, my awe-filled gratitude. More trials came, but I could face them with more firmly-rooted faith. These days, recalling our overwhelmingly obvious miracle of unlikely life heightens my awareness of every miracle, big or small—and helps me more confidently share God’s love and hope.
Thousands of people experienced Christ’s miraculous multiplication of the loaves. Yet the more I pray with this incredible miracle, the more I see how Christ’s heart was tenderly and attentively turned first toward His beloved disciples. He knew their faith was young and weak. He knew how often they would fall and fail and doubt. Still, He invited them to participate in His miraculous work—to build in them a foundation of belief that would persevere to the end and invite others to salvation.
They didn’t fully get it at first, but the truth of God’s presence and provision gradually worked its way into His disciples’ hearts—ultimately forged into immovable fortitude as they faced the birth of Christianity, persecution, and martyrdom.
Whether you’ve noticed it or not, your life is brimming with His miracles, too—each detail tenderly worked for love of you. Miracles of life, breath, provision, seemingly unanswered prayers that turn out to be mercies of protection. Countless miracles that He’s invited you to participate in.
Today, take notice—and let the miraculous truth root your belief in His unfailing love.
Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, enthusiastic hockey mom, and Army Veteran living in Denver, CO. In her “spare” time she serves as a Catholic Writer, Speaker, and Women’s Mentor, helping women to embrace their God-given dignity and deepen their prayer relationship with the Lord. She is the author Offer it Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Suffering, a writer for SpiritualDirection.com, and a longtime team member of Blessed is She. Megan adores books, sleep, sunshine, and Colorado’s great outdoors almost as much as she adores Jesus in the Eucharist. Learn more at MeganHjelmstad.com.
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