Fish + Loaves = Pizza
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“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces that were left over” (Luke 9:17).
On a recent Sunday, God blessed a group of single ladies at my church in an unexpected way. As the leader of this small group, I ordered four pizzas to accommodate 10 women who RSVP’d to emails and calls. Four medium pizzas, 32 slices, would be plenty for 10 women. Some would eat more, some less.
During the first few minutes of gathering, two women who hadn’t responded entered the room. That’s okay. There will still be plenty to eat. Another five minutes passed and the 10 women arrived who told me they’d be attending. But then so did four more women who hadn’t RSVP’d. Maybe I better just eat one piece and not the two I thought I wanted. Within a few minutes, four additional women came in who hadn’t let me know they were coming. Uh-oh. Whether I eat one piece or not, we are likely to run out of food.
For a moment, I thought about the blessings of this varied group of women. Some were new faces, some were familiar. But mostly, I fretted. I breathed a simple prayer, a small request. “Lord, please work this one out. This pizza needs to stretch.” How in the world will four pizzas feed this many people? I couldn’t order more and have it arrive fast enough for the luncheon.
As people filled their plates from the pizza boxes, I expected someone near the back of the line to say “Is there more?” I waited at the end of the line. I thought there wouldn’t be any pizza left by the time I got up there. Not wanting the shortage to be a big deal, I planned to quietly sit down hoping no one would notice I’d not gotten a piece.
Although many women took only one piece, I noticed several put more than two on their plates. My turn, I stepped up to the counter. Lo and behold, eight pieces sat in the boxes. I stared at the pizza. How is this possible? Thirty-two pieces total, 20 women, most with two on their plates. The numbers boggled my mind but the evidence lay before me.
During the luncheon, several ladies went for seconds, thirds. I thought at the end of our time together, the boxes would certainly be empty and ready to trash. God blessed our fellowship time. I prayed the new ladies felt welcomed and would return for another event.
The ladies left for home and as the leader, I remained behind to clean up the room. I stepped to the counter where the four boxes remained, certain it would be an easy cleanup of empty containers. Every box contained at least one slice. One box had four slices.
I chuckled and shook my head. Oh, ye of little faith. God provides. My job is to trust Him completely, with everything, big and small. We weren’t the 5,000 in John’s gospel, but our group witnessed a modern day fish and loaves story with pepperoni, cheese and sausage.
We ate. We were satisfied. There were leftovers.
Questions: Have you witnessed a miracle despite personal doubt? When is the last time God surprised you with a blessing?
About the Author Gail Morris
Tags: blessings, church, emails, financial, fretted, Gail Morris, God provides, leftovers, luncheon, pizzas, trust
11 Responses to “Fish + Loaves = Pizza”
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This reminds me to keep my eyes open for “ordinary miracles”. :)
God surprises me every day with blessings
This was a very good read. God always provides. So many times I have fretted over the simplest of things. Even toliet paper or diapers. And no matter what the situation has been. A car repair or everyday stuff we use or food to eat. God has always provided.
That is awesome! Our home group discusses about the Feeding of 5000 last Friday. It’s so great to hear that Jesus performs the same miracle even today! Thank you for sharing this.
This was awesome, I could feel the Spirit in every word I read, I love the way God moves!
Dearest Gail, thank you for sending this today. God knew I needed to be reminded of this promise and blessing this morning. Christmas is an emotional season these past ten years after our daughter died.
Our scheduling this year delayed the packing away of the tree and decorations until this morning. With the gray sky, cold temps and being alone with the task, I found myself remembering all the times of Christmas past. A thundercloud of gloom and self-pity found it’s dumping ground on me and I was off the road and in the ditch before I recognized the culprit.
I took a break and bless you, this email appeared! I am again reminded the saddness and loss death brings isn’t forever because of our Lord’s work at calvary. When those times of grief overwhelm we cry out to Him and He rescues . . . thank you for being on the rescue team this morning dear friend and sister in Jesus.
Love and abundant blessings to you . . . DiAne
Gail, such a beautiful way God loves to show us Himself. Thanks for sharing this story with us.
Thank you Gail for sharing this miracle with me. Miracles, small or large in our eyes, are God’s way of letting us know of His presence with us. Praise God. Our Lord lives and is with us now and evermore.
This article warmed my soul. God is so faithful if we only just believe. I asked God to restore relationships in my son-in-law’s family and forgot all about it until it occurred. It was 10 years later, but it happened. God hears and answers all prayers in his timing. I’m so glad that he is faithful!
Jehovah Jireh, my provider , His Grace is sufficient for me. Halaleuiaa!
God makes up the shortage in ways I would have never thought possible. Everytime I pray for a financial blessing,I never get cash money, but I do always get just what I needed. God knows me so well that if I were go get a lot of money at one time, I would probably do something dumb with it. If my car is broken, He sends someone to fix it. He is such an awesome God.