Feed the five thousand?

How much food does it take to feed a crowd like that?

Five lorry loads full?

Jesus is given a gift. Five loaves and two fish.

It’s not enough. It’s an imperfect gift.

Jesus takes the imperfect gift in his hands. He lifts it up toward the heavens. He gives thanks.

Jesus gives thanks for an imperfect gift!

In a season of anxiety and fear, a key to experiencing the peace of God is to pray with thanksgiving. If that sounds too simplistic, check out Paul’s instructions in Philippians 4. Thanksgiving has the power to lift the cloud of despair and discouragement and replace it with supernatural peace.

So we wait for a perfect gift to arrive, and then we give thanks.

Sometimes that means waiting a long time. Sometimes too long.

Why not starting giving thanks for imperfect gifts instead?

Your family isn’t perfect, but it’s worth giving thanks for.

Your job isn’t perfect, but it’s worth giving thanks for.

Your spouse isn’t perfect, but it’s worth giving thanks for them.

Your church isn’t perfect, but it’s worth giving thanks for.

And can you see what happens when Jesus gives thanks for an imperfect gift? It multiplies and grows. That’s often God’s way. He answers our need with a seed and when we give thanks for the seed it multiples and grows.

So, may you learn to give thanks for imperfect gifts.

May your gratitude result in multiplication.

And may your thanksgiving lead you into a renewed experience of the presence of God.

‘…enter his gates with thanksgiving…’ (Psalm 100)