I run a Community Choir, and it’s one of the highlights of my week. There’s almost as much laughter as music, and no matter what kind of day I’ve had, I always leave with a full heart. We’re a mix of people with different jobs and backgrounds, but we come together to sing, create something beautiful, and share a lot of joy.
I do love the choir, but there are times I get in from work and just want to collapse and not go back out again. Leading a choir isn’t as simple as just showing up. There’s choosing and arranging songs, planning performances, and keeping rehearsals flowing so the music doesn’t get lost in the banter.
Even on days when I’m tired and tempted to stay home, I show up — because I love these people and the music we make together.
Still, there are times when it feels like all the unseen work goes unnoticed
Tonight I found a card in my bag. One of my choir members had spotted it and thought of me. (For context: I love ducks.) On the front was a ‘peeking duck’ — which made me laugh — and inside was a heartfelt message thanking me for everything I do. I don’t lead the choir for the thanks, but moments like that remind me that what I give makes a difference..
What does this have to do with God? There’s a story in the bible. Jesus is on a hillside preaching to thousands and evening comes. They don’t have any food, I guess time flew by, so the disciples worry what they will do. They encourage Jesus to send the crowd to away to feed themselves, but Jesus says, ‘you feed them.’ I’m not sure about you, but I suspect if I had been in the position I might have either laughed incredulously or had a minor panic attack. Instead the disciples find a boy who has 5 loaves and 2 fishes with him, and Jesus performs a miracle and that little amount of food multiplies and feeds thousands with baskets to spare.
What has occured to me recently in that story is the faith of that boy. There are thousands needing food, what good will his small offering have? But in the hands of Jesus, giving what we have is enough.
This is a lesson I am learning. It’s not always grand gestures or riches that are needed. Just giving what I have is enough – my time, my energy, my talents and my heart.
I have that ‘peeking duck’ next to my bed so I can look at it and smile. And yes, the duck makes me smile. But more than that, it reminds me that the little I do — even when it feels small — is enough. In God’s hands, my time, energy, talents, and heart can be multiplied in ways I may not always see, but that make a difference. And that’s enough
The Reason for my Hope Blog 