One of the ways moms show their love for their children is through packed lunches. It may be a simple box of rice, viand and side dishes for Asian Moms, lunchables for Western Moms and Tiffin Boxes for Indian moms, but regardless of the contents of the lunch box, it is a guarantee that it is made with love. Moms wake up earlier to cook, and they prepare it to ensure that their kids are well fed and energized for the rest of the school day.
It will be a happy thought to think that during Jesus’ time, the packed lunches existed already and have even been instrumental to one of the Messiah’s most popular miracles. Do you remember the boy who had five loaves and two fish?
“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up,“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:8-9
And as we all know, Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish and fed 5,000 men and their respective families, with 12 wicker baskets worth of leftovers. The packed lunch indeed went a long way!
Certainly, there is someone who prepared that packed lunch for the boy, and let us assume that it is his mother. So what does this mean to us moms who day in and day out prepare those lunch baons for our children? Well, we may not be able to feed our child’s whole class with just his lunch, but it definitely means that our efforts will not go to waste.
We may not see the fruits of what we do right away, but our children will certainly reap the fruit of our efforts. For one, they are already having more nutritious meals. Instead of us leaving to them the decision to buy what they would like to eat, which for sure might just involve something deep fried, or worse, something junk. They get to eat some home cooked meal, thoughtfully prepared to nourish them. This will not only be good for their bodies, but it will also build healthy eating habits.
Second, when they grow up, they will certainly remember our efforts. When they become parents themselves, there is a big chance that they will see our past actions as our way of showing love and service to them.
“Jesus reached for a little child, placed him among the Twelve, and embraced him. Then He said, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me isn’t actually welcoming me but rather the one who sent me.’” Mark 9:36-37
Hopefully, their realization about our love and service through packed lunches will drive them to pay it forward to their children. We will then have another generation of children who felt loved, children who were well-fed, and children who will grow up to be loving parents.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2-3
We may not be perfect moms, but at least we can pack for our children meaningful memories one day at a time. Meaningful memories that hopefully they will thank glorify the Lord for. And as we look to the Heavenly Father for inspiration on caring for our little ones, we get to honor Him in the way we parent our children.
“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:27-30
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on John 6:1-14 and Proverbs 31:10-31 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: What meaningful memories do you create for your family everyday?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve my family. Please give me the strength to continue joyfully serving them, so that I can make meaningful memories for them that they could glorify you for. Amen.
