So Everybody Gets Some

This week I worked as a volunteer putting together fifty grocery bags for a food bank down the mountain. Two churches there coordinate the distribution of fresh produce from our local farmers to those in their community who are food insecure. We sorted through, counted out, and weighed potatoes, onions, eggplants, green beans, baby lettuces, apples, so that everyone got a pound of each. When we got to the tomatoes, we came up several bags short, so we re-sorted and took some tomatoes from each bag to make up the difference.

“So everybody gets some,” said the young woman coordinator in a quiet voice.

It was one of those statements that someone utters and it’s like a bell sounds. The words resonate. You’re shaken awake.

You’ve had those moments, right? When spoken words shift your perception in a way that you can’t come back from?

So everybody gets some.

As a pastor, I’d definitely have preached on this. Loaves and fishes, anyone?

I’m more and more convinced that it’s part of our work here on this planet to make sure we share what we have so others have what they need. Our time, our energy, our food and resources. Our hearts. Our love.

I don’t think the lesson of the Loaves and Fishes story is that we’re supposed to wait around for a miracle. I think those of us with resources should act on what we learned way back in kindergarten — that there is enough to go around if we remember to share. Maybe the miracle is as simple as us opening ourselves to this truth.

If we remember it’s fair for everybody to get some.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Chapter Four of Dead Ringer coming your way Monday!