“Who thinks more is better than less?”

This is the deep question posed to a circle of kindergartners in a recent Geico commercial. Whenever it comes on, my husband just has to look over at me and we collapse into a fit of giggles. The standout line, “We want more” has become something of a comic throw away line around here. A video of the commercial follows this post. (I apologize in advance for the annoying pop-ups. Please delete them at will!)

I think this commercial really hits home for me because of the kernel of truth in it. Just like our enthusiastic little lady in the ad, I want more too. More time spent with the Lord, and seeing him in the ordinary moments in my life. That’s what I need more of. I know that he is all around me, and a partner in everything I do. I just want to be ‘more’ present to that.

The best approach for me to begin recognizing God working in my day, is to start simply. Saying a quiet “thank you” when I miraculously pick the shortest check-out line, find my lost glasses (again), or I am able to help someone. Beginning a habit of noticing the grace in the good, will hopefully help me later, when finding grace in the not-so-good will be a challenge.

So this brings up a question for me. What are some of the simple things I love? Things that bring a glimpse of God to my day?  Here is a list of seven things that bring me joy:

Yesterday, the Gospel reading was Luke 9:11-17, the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. As was rightly pointed out to all in the church, we knew this passage so well, we could probably recite it from memory.

While listening to the homily, I kept going back in my mind to something Jesus said.

On the hillside that early evening, the disciples hearts were with the mass of people who spent the day listening to Jesus. They were concerned that night was falling, and these thousands would need food and shelter.

In response to their concern, Jesus said, “Give them some food yourselves.”

That sounds kind of harsh, doesn’t it? Like what a ten year old would tell his little brother to make him go away. But Jesus is not harsh, I thought to myself. He is love, so that can’t be what is happening here.

Jesus didn’t say, “I think you should feed them” or “Maybe you could feed them.” He was giving a command. He knows all about the small amount of food they had. I think Jesus was saying “Take what you have and work with that. I’ll make sure it’s enough to do the job.” This was a moment filled with potential. It was an opportunity to step up in holiness.

Will they trust Jesus? Will they make that leap of faith? If they do, they will experience the certainty that Jesus wouldn’t let them or the crowds down. Everyone would be fed.

We all know what the response was. Come on now. There’s barely enough for a family of four here!

The opportunity to take that leap of faith vaporizes in the heat of doubt. So Jesus steps in. After the disciples instruct the crowds he, in front of all, breaks and blesses the bread. “All ate and were satisfied.”

So what does it all mean in the present day? I see it like this. Everyone has a few fish and some bread, but we call them gifts and talents. It appears impossible that these will help very many people. Well, that’s true. Alone, they can’t.  But I have to step out with the hope that the Spirit will take over. This love of God will make the small gifts become something much better. I’ll pitch the ball, hoping that Jesus will knock it out of the park.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:1-2