The miracle of the mother
Was it fried? Who knows?
Even though there’s no maternal element mentioned, the Bible story about the loaves and fishes has always made me think of mothers.
I’ve never had a problem believing the small lunch was multiplied to feed thousands, but what’s difficult to accept is that out of all the people at the gathering that day, the only one to remember to bring his lunch was a little boy.
In defense, I guess the Bible only says the boy “had” the lunch. It didn’t say he “remembered” his lunch. That makes more sense, because you see, I’ve raised two boys, and I can’t begin to count the number of times they forgot their lunch, homework or field trip permission slip. One of them got in the car after school and told me he had to keep his jacket on all day because he’d forgotten to put a shirt on that morning.
What granny said was true, “If their heads weren’t attached to their necks, they’d walk off and forget those too.”
But after thinking about this story I first heard in my 3-year-old Sunday School class, I think the author may have omitted the key figure. The one who really saved the day, wasn’t the little boy who shared his lunch. Instead, the real hero (other than The Savior, of course), had to be none other than . . . the boy’s mother. Don’t you think she was the one who ran after this New Testament kid and hollered, “Hey, Billy-Jim! Come back here right now! You forgot your fish!”
“Fish again?” he whined. “You know I’m so tired of fish! Everyone else gets to eat lamb and fig kabobs.”
“Young man, you know your father works hard on his boat all day catching these fish. You should be ashamed to complain like you do.”
So, off Billy-Jim went, hanging his head low, kicking a rock, and swinging his little Ten Commandments lunch box with Charlton Heston on the side. Later in the day, when the . . . to finish the story at AL.com, click HERE.
Leslie Anne, I wish I’d had a Sunday School teacher as interesting as you! You nailed the kid and yes, the moms too. I have to admit to rushing some forgotten items down to school, even though I know the experts say to let the child learn a lesson and do without. And I must admit that as the oldest of 4 daughters I had to do without if I forgot something!. Since you were a teacher I’m sure you saw plenty of both types of moms and have your own opinion of which is the best method?
This Bible story has always fascinated me too–just the logistics of it boggle the mind. From now on though I will be picturing fried fish with hushpuppies and coleslaw and lots of cocktail sauce, with a few wanting tartar sauce on the side. Key Lime pie thrown in wouldn’t be bad either!
Happy Mother’s Day, Leslie Anne,
Dewena
Absolutely YES to the Key Lime Pie!!!
Happy Mother’s Day to you too!
This is a beautiful post! Thank God for moms!
Thanks Elizabeth.
If you had been my Sunday School teacher, I might have paid attention. Forevermore, I will think of this story with hushpuppies and cocktail sauce, etc.
I suppose everyone with a child has had the experience of a frantic scramble to get the kid to school with everything he is supposed to have. That is too funny about one of yours forgetting to put on his shirt!
Seriously! He forgot his dang shirt! I know you have a boy, so you believe me. Cheers to you on Mother’s Day!
Leslie Anne, you certainly know how to make the beautiful story of the fish and loaves come to life! I have a son and he could not remember anything when he was a child. Thankfully he is a responsible adult. Happy Mother’s Day!
Then, they can change? Great news! Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you Leslie Anne, what a treat to read this was…