Our Patient Father

“‘It is because we have no bread…’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?’  They answered, ‘Seven.’  He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’”  Mark 8:20-21.

I cannot even begin to understand the patience of Jesus as He walked this earth dealing with man.  The disciples saw miracle after miracle, day after day, city after city.  And yet, they still questioned their provisions immediately after witnessing Jesus feeding four thousand people.  It had just happened…they stepped from the miracle directly into the boat talking about not having any bread with them.  The frustration of Jesus shows in this passage as it was clear they didn’t understand that the ‘bread’ was in the boat with them…the Bread who was able to provide, sustain and nourish …the Bread who would always be enough…the Bread who would never run out.

How many times do we question our own provisions when walking through life?  Like the disciples, we witness the power of God calming our storms and settling our tumultuous circumstances only to question the next season.  ‘When will this end…When will God move… How will this be resolved?  Where is the bread?’  We temporarily forget the acts and blessings that He just provided with our shortsightedness and single-mindedness.  Two times the disciples witnessed the same lesson – Jesus will always be the provision for everyone, and still they missed the point. 

It seems that I have the same lessons to learn, it just comes to me with several different faces.  I am sure that Christ looks upon my weaknesses…my slowness for understanding…and says ‘Brenda, do you still not understand?’  Faithfully, He just keeps showing me that the different faces belong to the same lesson.  I am so grateful that we serve a patient and loving God who desires the best for all of us.  He will take whatever time is required to penetrate our hearts and minds with His understanding.