A packet of crisps

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A reflection and prayer to start the day with Ruth Jennings Good morning. This week my sons are celebrating harvest in their primary schools. When I was a child, we had to bring fresh food and I was always excited to bring in something more exotic than apples- my mum would let me choose, perhaps strawberries, raspberries or even a melon! During assembly, we each left our contribution to the front while the school sang ‘someone’s brought a loaf of bread (or fruit or veg alternative) to put on the harvest table.’ I was fascinated one year when a particularly naughty boy in my class brought a single packet of crisps. I relayed this at home, and we laughed at the thought of us all singing ‘William brought a packet of crisps to put on the harvest table.’ I guess crisps weren’t exactly how we had interpreted the theme of ‘God’s bountiful harvest.’ What I didn’t know at the time, was that this little boy was from a very troubled background, and there’s a high chance that he shared part of his lunch to be able contribute at all. In the Bible, all four gospels mention the feeding of the 5000. Jesus miraculously managed to share 5 loaves and 2 fish amongst thousands of people. But it all started with a little boy who gave what he had for his lunch. I suspect 8 year old me would have been appalled at the thought of sharing my own lunch for the harvest celebration. I also suspect that God was grateful for crisps the boy in my class offered, because that’s all he had. Proverbs 19 says “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. Dear Lord, Thank you for the abundance of harvest and for all the gifts that you provide. Lord, if we have been blessed with plenty, I pray you’d give us the grace to share generously with those who need it. Amen