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Monday, November 17, 2008

Packing Lunches

Most mornings I drag myself out of bed, slow and grumpy, after hitting the snooze button at least two times.

I shuffle to the coffee pot, grab a Diet Coke from the frig., and swig it down for my temporary caffeine hit until my Starbucks House Blend is ready. In the meantime, I wake up our daughter, make her breakfast and stare at her lunch box.

After years of packing lunches, I've run out of ideas. We've gone through the PB and J phase, the Spaghetti O's season, and the very short-lived carrot sticks era.
Packing a lunch has become a mundane task, seeming so unimportant, especially when the lunch box returns home with half of the lunch still intact. Making a sandwich, heating soup, or slicing apples is part of my routine.

Moms go through routines like this every day. Changing diapers, wiping noses, buying groceries after clipping coupons, balancing a checkbook, sitting at a computer at work.

The little things we do each day seem so insignificant. Are they?

It was an ordinary day. Jesus had been speaking for hours to a large crowd. The people grew hungry and tired. The disciples were faced with the task of feeding them, wondering how they would find or pay for a meal for so many.

Then something remarkable happened. Andrew found a young boy who offered his lunch. Jesus took the lunch of fish and bread and blessed it. This little boy's lunch fed thousands of people and his disciples gathered the leftovers. (Reference John 6)

I think about that little boy's mom. She got up that morning and packed his lunch, just like any other morning. She had no idea what God would do with her efforts. She may not have been making a PB and J or packing Fruit Roll-Ups, but she was much like you and me, doing what God had called her to do.

Jesus took what she did that day and blessed it. The results were nothing less than miraculous.

God can use all things. Everyday things. Big things. Small things.

That lunch you pack may never feed thousands, but what you do today- no matter how small- has a big significance in God's Kingdom.

And God can and will take what you do and bless it.

Be encouraged in doing good for Him.


"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." 2 Thessalonians 3: 13

Something to ponder:


How have you seen God use the small things in your life?



Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."



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14 Comments:

Blogger Julie said...

Melanie,
I loved this devo. It reminded me that you never know how a simple task might change the effects of lives around us. That mother had no idea that that little task would be used to show the powerful hand of God and affect the life of thousands, she just did what she always did, packed a lunch.

Julie

November 17, 2008 at 9:26 AM  
Blogger teri-free2bme said...

Thank you! I needed this reminder! ...the things that feel "small" and "ordinary" in the everydays, day, after day, are what God uses to do the "Big, Extraordinry" things that make a huge difference in the lives of all of us. I'm encouraged and give Him praise!

November 17, 2008 at 9:40 AM  
Blogger Karin said...

How true! That 'insignificant' little lunch story has blessed us through the centuries. Thanks for the encouragement!

November 17, 2008 at 10:27 AM  
Blogger Sandy @ The Scoop on Balance said...

This was perfect. Thanks so much for the reminder.

Your mornings sound much like mine, except instead of Diet Pepsi, I just wait for the coffee to brew and remain crabby for an extra five minutes.

Blessings,
Sandy Cooper
www.godpseakstoday.blogspot.com

November 17, 2008 at 11:11 AM  
Blogger Debbie said...

The perfect scripture for a wonderful reminder. Thank you!

November 17, 2008 at 12:01 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

I really enjoyed this, bless you.

November 17, 2008 at 12:43 PM  
Blogger LauraLee Shaw said...

Oh wow, powerful punch at the end...the good kind. I wonder what attitude I would have if I could see the tapes played of the impact in the small things. I REEEEAAAAALLLLY needed to hear this post today as I stay focused on my kids' schoolwork and the tasks around the house. Thank YOU!

November 17, 2008 at 12:47 PM  
Blogger Michele Williams said...

Great reminder! Thank you for this devotional.

November 17, 2008 at 2:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've never actually thought about the mom in this story - thank you for that!

November 17, 2008 at 2:58 PM  
Blogger 2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Makes you look at the little incidentals in your day differently, which is a blessing. Thanks, Melanie.

November 17, 2008 at 4:25 PM  
Blogger Lenore Buth at www.awomansview.typepad.com said...

What an encouraging post! Thanks. The little, "ordinary" things of every day together form the pattern of the mosaic of the child's growing-up years. Now that our four daughters are adults, I understand that more clearly. Just being there counts. Every faithful, loving mom blesses her child's life, more than you can ever know at the time.

November 17, 2008 at 10:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Laura,
I really enjoy the internet cafe but for some reason when I get it letters are jumbled together making it very difficult to read. Thank you for doing all the wonderful things you do. Blessings, Carol

November 18, 2008 at 4:51 AM  
Blogger Laurie Ann said...

This was great! I never stopped to think that a Mother packed this little boys lunch. Wow.

Thanks for the encouragement to look for God in the small things. I have seen His handprints over things large and small in my life, and I praise Him for both. In May He was with the doctor and got all the cancer from my uncle's brain. Last week, I prayed on the elevator that I had at least one diet sprite left in the fridge upstairs and I did. Amen!

November 18, 2008 at 8:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

On a day in which I wanted to initially just pull the blankets over my head, this is especially meaningful. Got to work, and due to some schedule changes, was told to come home and then COME BACK to work @ 11! Guess God knew I just needed some quiet time before going back to the mayhem.

November 18, 2008 at 10:04 AM  

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