Do You Ever Feel Inadequate?

Do you ever feel inadequate? Do you ever look at your responsibilities and feel overwhelmed by the impossibility of the task?

Are things expected of you, which are far greater than what you have to offer?

Sunday we had a great lesson in Sunday School about the small boy who gave Christ 5 loaves of barley bread and 2 small fishes, so Christ could use it to feed the multitude of over 5 thousand persons... until they were all full. I was touched. I took a few notes. And one of my notes said this on the side, "*Blog this."

But then I forgot all about it. Until today, when I felt a nudge from within me telling me to go read from a particular blog. I immediately went there and jumped over to a post the author wrote last Sunday about the story of Christ feeding the multitude with one boys meager portion of food. So here I am to write that post. :D

The mentioned story is taken from the 6th chapter of the book of John. I took brief notes about the details, number of fish, loaves, people, etc. And then I wrote this note to myself:

"What are the small gifts that I possess which I can offer up to bless many?"

 Making a difference in the world isn't about how amazing we are. We don't have to be superior or amazing, really (no one is superior anyhow). Making a difference in the lives of many is about offering up to Christ, the small gifts and blessings that He has already blessed us with, so He can perform miracles and multiply our small gifts to share with others.

I know this sounds simplistic.

I hope it doesn't sound like a fantasy of an ignorant fool.

I believe it is truth...

I believe it is a simple principle of truth that was put into the scriptures so that we would realize the power we have to help many, if we will simply offer up our small abilities to the Lord.

He is the one who performs the miracles. He is the one who makes it possible for us to do the simple things we do, and for great things to come from them. It is in our limited state, and humble lacking, that Christ is able to make His power and love for all of us evident. It is in our limited and humble state that Christ is able to bless us to know how much we need Him; it blesses us to have the need to "Come unto Him" and develop the relationship we need to be eternally happy - a relationship WITH HIM.

Have you ever been asked to do something that really scared your sock off? Maybe you were asked to lead a group in your community, or to do a calling in church that you didn't think was possible for you to perform. How about being a mom? Or a Dad? A good supportive sister, or brother? Or maybe your position at work or school is a big one, and you don't feel quite up to the task. Do you ever feel inadequate?

This story is Christ's way of showing us that when we have tasks to fill which are far greater than what we can possibly possess to offer up... if we will offer up the small meager talents, abilities, possessions, whatever small gifts we have to offer... in His name, He will perform miracles to make our small offerings multiply until they are MORE THAN enough.

He will multiply our gifts to fill others, as well as ourselves.

One of my favorite quotes speaks of how all that we do affects others. We don't realize the extent that we effect others. Even just affecting one person affects many, as that one person goes on to affect others, and they in turn pass on the gift that was passed on to them.

"There's a ripple effect in all that we do. What you do touches me; what I do touches you."

I wrote another note at the bottom of my Church Journal at the end of this lesson. It reads,

"A willing, obedient servant is blessed. All things are possible with Christ."

ALL THINGS. The father who struggles to provide for his family' the mother who seeks patience and wisdom to raise happy, healthy children; the teacher who struggles to teach the child with acute disabilities, whatever it is he/she must know; the President, who has so many who depend upon him/her to fulfill needs and carry out responsibilities which seem impossible...

All of this can be accomplished if we will do our work with a prayer of faith, that Jesus Christ will multiply our efforts and make them enough.

I am encouraged to not worry about how little I might think I have to offer to others; I don't have to be a perfect wife, mother, daughter, teacher, friend, person, etc. to be a blessing to others.

I don't have to feel inferior to any task... I am not alone. I'm encouraged to simply share all that I can, and be rest assured that God will perform miracles with my small offerings, so that in the end my offerings will be more than enough. :)

PS  I LOVE blogging! :D I love the way the lord uses blogging to give us daily opportunities to bless and lift each other.... to nourish and strengthen one another.

My gratitude goes out to the boy with the bread man with the blog, who fed me with his post, and reminded me to write this one. :) He may never see this, but if he does... Thanks again! :D

Corine :D