Today’s sermon settled into my heart like a steady drumbeat: Jesus isn’t asking for ability - He’s asking for availability.
Jesus isn’t asking for ability—He’s asking for availability.
Pastor Charley reminded us of the day five thousand hungry people sat on a hillside (Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14). There wasn’t a catering plan, just a boy with a small lunch—five loaves and two fish. It looked laughably insufficient, but placed in Jesus’ hands, it became more than enough. Everyone ate. There were baskets of leftovers.
I keep thinking about that boy. He didn’t bring a feast; he brought what he had. That’s the invitation I hear for my life and for this community: bring what you have—your time, your text message, your listening ear, your paintbrush, your story, your prayer—and watch Jesus multiply it into something nourishing.
We are all invisible until someone looks at us.
Isn’t that true? Being noticed—truly seen—can feel like a miracle. A friend remembers your hard week. Someone says your name kindly. A stranger holds the door when your hands are full. Small things carry holy weight when love is in them.
This is my hope for the Hope, Healing & Heart Circle and everything I do through Art & Soul Press: that our creativity and our faith would become eyes that see and hands that move, so no one near us feels invisible. That we would be a circle where people are reminded: You matter. You are seen. You belong.
What Availability Looks Like (Small, Simple, Sacred)
Availability rarely looks flashy. It sounds like, “I’m here.” It looks like simple loaves and fish:
A Look & a Name: Make eye contact. Say hello. Remember a detail from last week.
A Note: Send a text, card, or DM: Thinking of you. How can I pray?
A Little Help: Drop off a meal, share a ride, watch a child for an hour.
A Listening Ear: Let someone finish their sentence. Ask one more question.
A Creative Gift: Share a piece of art, a handmade card, a song, a poem—beauty opens hearts.
A Prayer: Whisper their name to Jesus. He hears. He multiplies.
None of these require a special title or perfect talent. They require a willing heart and a few minutes. Availability turns ordinary minutes into miracles.
For Our Circle
If you’re part of the Hope, Healing & Heart Circle, here’s how we can live this out together:
The “Seen & Supported” Thread: Each week, share a need and/or one way you can help someone else.
Prayer & Praise: Post specific requests; celebrate answered prayers.
Creative Encouragement: Share a work-in-progress. We’ll cheer, not critique.
Kindness Challenge: Choose one small act of service this week and tell us how it went.
If you’ve felt unseen lately, I want you to know: you are on God’s heart, and you’re on mine. You don’t have to be impressive here—you just have to be present. Bring whatever “loaves and fish” you have today. That is enough.
A Simple Prayer
Jesus, I offer You what I have—my time, my attention, my small gifts. Make me available. Help me see the ones who feel invisible. Take my loaves and fish and multiply them into hope, healing, and heart. Amen.
Scriptures to Sit With This Week
Feeding the Five Thousand: Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these…”: Matthew 25:35–40
“Let us not grow weary in doing good…”: Galatians 6:9–10
A Gentle Next Step
Tell someone, “I see you.” Then do one small act of love. In our Circle, share your story so we can celebrate what God does with the little we offer.
With hope & heart,
Suzette
