Getting what you want

Jesus, when I don't get what I want, help me understand why. Amen!

Jesus had taught a crowd of 5,000 people all day, and it was late. "Tell them to go home and eat," the Apostles told Jesus. "Feed them yourselves," He answered. But all they had were five loaves of bread and two fish! Jesus took the food, blessed it and gave it to the crowd -- and suddenly, there was enough for everyone! They all ate their fill, and there were even 12 baskets of leftovers.

Kids know better than anyone that you can't always get what you want: How often do you ask for something you saw in a store or on TV, but your parents say no? How often do you take the last cookie in the box, and your mom says you have to share with your sister?

This week's Gospel (Luke 9:11-17) is about people getting what they want -- but in a different way than they expected. In the story, people were so excited about learning from Jesus, they wouldn't go home, even when they got tired and hungry. The Apostles wanted Jesus to send them away, but Jesus said the Apostles should just feed them. Where would they get all that food?

When you don't get what you want, it's usually because your parents don't think it's good for you, it's expensive or you have enough already (like that cookie you have to split with your sister).

The people in the Gospel story may have wanted God to just give them food; some people today believe that's what happened. But others say Jesus didn't make more food; He just helped people think about sharing the little food they had in their pockets and bags, until everyone had enough.

It's true that you can't always get what you want. But sometimes, saving your allowance for a toy or giving up half a cookie to make your sister smile works out even better than just having something handed to you.

You could even end up with more than you asked for!