Notes
What's in your basket?
As November has arrived, so have swirling leaves, green grass returning to dry lawns, and a month where we have the chance to focus on Thanksgiving and gratitude.
I recently was reading the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 people (John 6:1-14), and was struck by the interaction of Jesus with the disciples and the young boy who had a basket of five small barley loaves and two small fish. I like to imagine the young boy’s mom carefully packed his lunch, reminded him to share with others, kissed him on the forehead, and told him to have a good day.
Little did the boy, the disciples and thousands of hungry people know their growling stomachs were about to be quieted by the offering of this young boy who came with his simple basket. Jesus never asked the boy what he didn’t have. He multiplied what the boy did have.
Once a month at Willamette, we have the joy of hosting Foster Parents Night Out (FPNO). Through this ministry, 85 volunteers come together to serve 85 vulnerable children representing 35 families. Time, thought, love, and energy are poured out in abundance. It’s a living testimony that generosity is not just about giving—it’s about embodying the heart of Jesus. Terri Wheeler and Audrey Wasmund lead the way, and their generosity comes from the overflow of God’s boundless grace and love they’ve received.
Audrey shares, “I serve in response to God’s call. To love and obey Him is to love people, meeting needs with practical compassion. I want my children to grow up seeing a faith in action—one that looks beyond self and moves toward others.”
Tomorrow our building will be bustling with those who are bringing their “basket” to Jesus and giving of their time, energy, resource and talents to serve vulnerable children.
Jesus is asking each of us, “What’s in your basket?” Each of us has been entrusted in a unique way with unique gifts, resources, and situations. We just have to be brave enough to offer it all to Jesus so He can multiply it for our weary world, and often it starts from a place of thanksgiving.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
– Psalm 100:4-5