Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
In Mark 6, the disciples return from ministry excited but quite... worn out. Jesus sees it immediately and tells them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." Mark 6:31
They were tired. Needed quiet. Needed a break. But the crowds arrived before they could rest. Instead of turning people away, Jesus looked at them "like sheep without a shepherd," and He began to teach them. By evening, everyone is hungry, and the disciples see only a problem: thousands of people and no food.
Jesus tells them, "You give them something to eat."
Their response feels painfully familiar: "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread?"
In other words, “We don't have enough. This isn't possible.”
Jesus asks them one simple question: "How many loaves do you have? Go and see."
Five loaves. Two fish. Not nearly enough. Yet in Jesus' hands, it feeds thousands, leaving leftovers.
Some days, my offering feels just like that, small and insufficient. To be honest, I often feel like the disciples, and I don't always have faith that God can do something with what I have to offer. I'm a mom of two wild, wonderful boys. I work full-time. Most days end with a messy house and falling into bed already tired for tomorrow. And spiritually, I often feel the same way: like I've got nothing impressive to bring God. No extra energy. No quiet, polished faith moment. Just whatever scraps are left at the end of the day.
But Mark 6 reminds me that Jesus never asked for abundance. He simply asked, “What do you have?” Some days, all I bring Him is a tired prayer whispered while in the school drop-off line. Or a moment of patience I didn't think I had. Or choosing kindness when I'd rather snap. It doesn't feel spiritual or impressive. Maybe faith isn't about bringing God our biggest or most polished offering. Maybe it's about bringing Him our honest, tired, imperfect selves and trusting that He will bless that. Mark 6 is a reminder that faith isn't about having plenty; it's about trusting the One who provides plenty. When we offer our small obedience, our limited strength, or our imperfect efforts, God has a way of doing more than we imagined.
If today you feel stretched thin or spiritually empty, remember: Jesus works with what we have, not what we wish we had. Even if it feels insufficient, offer it. In His hands, it's enough.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
Prayer: Lord, some days I feel like I have nothing to give. Help me trust that even my small offerings matter to You. Take what feels insufficient to me and use it for Your purposes. Remind me that Your strength meets me in my weakness.