Family

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V. And What Would You Order at God's Picnic?
by Bill Hunt


My wife, Mary, and I decided to take a rather lengthy, sunny spring drive through the Maine countryside toward the rocky, scenic, coastal areas on a Saturday morning. At the time, we felt tired, poor, between paydays, frazzled, and needing a break. Parents with young children understand what I'm saying. So we strapped Monica, Brian, and baby Emily into three car seats and drove the country roads for a few hours toward Camden.

As we drove, Mary and I sang worship songs together. I really enjoyed my canary wife singing along with me. We recently joined a Life in the Holy Spirit seminar, and we savored our refreshed walk with God. By early afternoon, we grew hungry. With concern, I knew we carried no money to buy lunch.

"Boy, I'm hungry," I finally said to Mary.

"God knows it,” she said

“Surely, he who multiplied the loaves and fishes could provide us a little food,” I replied.

“You should pray specifically,” Mary said, “tell him what you want.”

Mary told me she brought along just a couple of slices of white bread, peanut butter, and jelly, only enough for sandwich snacks for the kids. That didn't sound too appetizing to me, so not ready to admit defeat, I turned my desire into a brief prayer.

"Father, we'd like some food for our little family to settle our hunger. And if you don't mind, God, I'd really like some lobster, but we'll appreciate anything you provide. Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer."

About twenty minutes up the road, we unexpectedly came upon an open roadside picnic area with spacious green fields, and we turned in. This secluded spot lay just across the road from a scenic blue panorama of salt smelling ocean water. The place appeared empty, but we noticed in one parking area an older couple loading the back end of a black pickup truck.

At a picnic table, Mary spread the peanut butter and jelly on to sandwiches to split among the kids. While she prepared the snack, I twirled Monica and Brian on a small merry-go-round, giving them rides. Fathers teach their children to play. With hair flying, they squealed in delight.

In a minute or two, the white-haired gentleman from the pickup truck walked all the way across the open green field to see us.

"My wife and I celebrated a picnic with our organization," he said. "We just packed away our supplies. I hope you don't mind if I ask. We boxed some extra food, and we wonder if your family would like a little, at no cost, of course."

"What kind of food?" I politely asked, knowing any kind of food would sound great.

"We barbecued chicken halves, ears of butter and sugar corn, potato salad, and some fresh lobster," he said, "actually quite a bit. Would you like some, whatever you can eat?"

I barely dared to believe my ears as I recognized the wondrous blessing of an Almighty, Loving God taking shape. I walked over to the man's truck with him.

Back at our weather beaten picnic table, my heart cheered and my eyes teared as my little family enjoyed the delicacy of the barbecued chicken and the bright red lobster feast.

I now knew about how hungry the disciples actually felt when Jesus blessed a few small loaves and fishes. I experienced a new awe for God's overwhelming love for people.

(#5 True Story in series: Life is 100 Million Miracles.)

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