God’s Mathematics of Love

My math might not be brilliant, but in this story things don’t add up. How can four thousand people be fed and have their fill and there be seven baskets full of the leftovers when you only started with seven loaves?

Yet isn’t this the way that Jesus operates in our lives? He takes our meager offerings and blesses them. Then he hands them out for us to give to all those in need. We give them out, expecting nothing in return, and we receive back more than we gave. Our baskets are filled to overflowing and all we can say is, “Thank you, Lord!”

Now that is what I call higher math! Whatever the gifts we give out, whether they be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, or whatever we have been given by God, they are returned in greater abundance than we are able to imagine. I cannot explain it. All I can do is praise God, the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Generous and loving God, we give you thanks for your many gifts of love, given to us and all creation. Our hearts are overflowing with praise and thanksgiving. Amen. — HF