Manna, Loaves, and Fish(sticks)

I used to love cooking dinner. No one in my family was ever much of a chef, let alone a "foodie," and it wasn't until I was out on my own in and after college that I really started to learn to cook. I had so much fun learning new techniques and devoting a good amount of time each night to making a full meal, and then I had children.

There are some nights when I wonder if I don't know a little bit of how those poor disciples felt when the crowds of thousands didn't make their own dinner reservations somewhere else as I look down at my children in the witching hour that is dinner time and exasperated at the thought of making one more picked over dinner and wonder out loud, "Didn't I just feed you yesterday?"

Moses, stuck wandering in a desert with his hungry people, actually pleads with God to "take me now" rather than deal with the stress of feeding people in the wilderness. (Numbers 11:15) If Moses, the man chosen by God to deliver His people from bondage, was ready to throw in the towel over dinner then, suddenly, I don't feel too bad about the other night when I scrapped the healthy, wonderful dinner I had planned in place of frozen fish sticks and veggies dragged from the back of the freezer.

God provides, whether it's manna from Heaven or fish and loaves (Matthew 14:19) or frozen fish sticks. When the people asked for food, He provided—not fancy, elegant meals, but simple, satisfying food. While I could apply today's reading solely to my lackluster and unimaginative meal planning, I also feel the need to remember that sometimes God provides me just what I need and no more.

How often do I act like the Israelites causing Moses to pull out his hair and demand more, better, richer fare than I need? How often do I assume that what's been given to me can never, ever be enough?

God provides exactly what we need when we need it—sometimes we need to stop and listen to Him as He says, Yes, you can wait a little longer or Trust me, you'll like it if you'll just try it. He knows what will sustain us, and we only need to trust that it will be enough.

Are you able to listen to God's assurances that He has given you what is needed to sustain you? Re-read the First Reading and the Gospel and take courage.

How often do I assume that what's been given to me can never, ever be enough?Click to tweet

Molly Walter is the Blog Manager for Blessed is She, a Catholic convert, wife and mother to two children on Earth and four babies called home to Jesus. She has a deep love of her faith, her family, literature, handcrafts, gardening, and Star Wars. When not working full time outside the home or wrangling her next family adventure, she blogs about all the good things in life. You can find out more about her here.