Mark 8:2-9 – "My heart yearns over the people," He said; "for this is now the third day they have remained with me, and they have nothing to eat. If I were to send them home hungry, they would faint on the way, some of them having come a great distance."
"Where can we possibly get bread here in this remote place to satisfy such a crowd?" answered His disciples.
"How many loaves have you?" He asked. "Seven," they said. So He passed the word to the people to sit down on the ground. Then taking the seven loaves He blessed them and broke them into portions and proceeded to give them to His disciples for them to distribute, and they distributed them to the people. They had also a few small fish. He blessed them, and He told His disciples to distribute these also. So the people ate an abundant meal; and what remained over they picked up and carried away–seven hampers of broken pieces. The number fed were about 4,000.
Yesterday, Patti and I went for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Cozumel. Patti had fish tacos, and I had enchiladas. Boy, were they delicious. I gobbled down almost every morsel. Patti, she's a light-weight eater. She only ate one of her four tacos and didn't touch the rest. Of course, at the end of the meal, we packed her leftovers nicely in a Styrofoam to-go box and commenced to walk downtown past the shops.
Now, if you have never walked past shops in Cozumel, it is an experience. At every shop entrance is a shop owner who has to try and verbally engage you. If it's your first experience, it can be a little intimidating. But after almost twenty years for me, it's just another day in paradise. I know they want my money, and I am used to it. So, nothing about the routine moves me. Until today.
Today, as we were walking through the town square, a young girl who couldn't have been over the age of 7 came up behind Patti and touched her arm.
Patti immediately turned to see the most beautiful child holding out a handwoven flower, carefully made from a plant of some kind. I tried to find some change to hand her. Finally, we both had to say that we had no money with us.
The little girl then responded, "I don't want money. May I have your food?"
Patti then opened her container to show the little girl the container filled with fish tacos, beans and salad. The little girl's eyes lit up and a smile appeared on her face. The exchange was made.
Patti and I continued our walk. Within a dozen steps, we both began to weep. Thank goodness we had on sunglasses. Patti then said, "We can do more. Let's find that little girl and give her more."
No matter how we looked, we could not find her. For the next several blocks, we walked and wept. As I have thought about this little girl, my heart breaks. She didn't want my money. She wanted food.
Today, I know the compassion of Christ for others. I can now give away all I have and follow Him.
Stay healthy and have a blessed day!
~Dean Burnetti
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