During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present.
Mark 8:1-8 (NIV)
"I just don't have the time." How often do we say or think these words? For me, it is quite often. I have learned my limits, and how to say "no" when necessary. In the words of Lysa Terkeurst, "A kind "no" is sometimes a 'Best Yes!'" One thing I do need more of in my life is God. As a mother of three small children, this can present itself as a challenging task. I have to intentionally take the time to connect with the heart of God each day through His Word and prayer.
As a mom with my hands full, this does not always come to fruition in the form of a full blown, lengthy quiet time. Quite the opposite. My "quiet times" are usually laced with my children's laughter, chasing, and make believe play. In such a good way, my "quiet times" are graced by my children's presence. I consider myself blessed.
I have found that it is okay to put in my earbuds, and open up my Bible (or Bible app) for five minutes and pray that the Lord would bless my time spent in His presence. The Holy Spirit is fully capable, and able to multiply my offering and fill up my heart with Jesus' divine portions. I humbly offer him what I have, which is typically five to ten minutes of my time with business in the background, and trust that like the few loaves of bread and fish the boy had to offer, Jesus can multiply my meager portions because he sees my heart, and is moved by my desire to know Him more.
Mark 8, verse 2 says, "Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat." Jesus has compassion on us when we are hungry to know him more fully, to follow his footsteps more fearfully, to love God and others more fiercely, and to faithfully rely on his miraculous provision in our daily lives.
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