— Pastor John Gierke, St. Paul Lutheran Church & School, West Point, Nebraska
How many grains of rice are in a Trinity HOPE lunch bowl? Honestly, I never saw the cooks, teachers, or feeding program directors count the exact number of grains of rice in a bowl. My answer would be – “A bowl-full!” Or “Enough to adequately feed the child for lunch.” I have never counted the number of grains of rice or cereal pieces in my own meal, but I know that “God has provided me with what I need to sustain this body and life.” (Luther’s explanation of the First Article)
Jesus’ parable of the Sower (Luke 8) and the multiplication of seeds harvested from each planted seed in good soil comes to my mind. Ponder now how many grains of rice are multiplied when a seed of rice is planted. Some estimates indicate that each seed can produce multiple bloom stalks, with each bloom stalk capable of producing over 300 new grains! That’s a lot from just one seed! While the grains of rice in the lunch bowl will not be used to grow more rice, they are used to feed the children. By God’s grace, the Seed of Faith is planted, nurtured, grown in the children as they learn about Jesus and His eternal life and love in their school, just as it has been planted, nurtured, and grown in us. And then, the Seed of Faith is multiplied as more Seeds of Faith are planted as the children share Jesus’ love and life with their family and neighbors – all because God works His miracles in the grains of rice and the Seeds of Faith! With each Quarter you donate from what God put into your pocket, you are part of God’s miracle of feeding and Faith!
Trinity HOPE has an opportunity like never before! New school sponsors, and new, recurring donations will be matched TWICE this year and matched dollar for dollar every year thereafter “Matched for a LIFETIME!”. For more information, send an email to admin@trinityhope.org.
“And Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.’” (John 12:23-26 ESV)
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