Story: My Daily Bread

This is a personal story, when I was in college. Jesus gave me my daily bread.

I remember in college having $10 to my name during spring break. I was playing baseball, and if we had a road trip during spring break the school provided our food. That spring break we didn’t go on a road trip, and the cafeteria was closed all week.

To play baseball I was eating thousands of calories a day on my cafeteria meal plan. I easily ate at least four plates of food each meal. But, there was nothing to eat.  I was definitely struggling.

I couldn’t use my meal plan. I checked my bank account. And, looked everywhere for any coins I’d left lying around. I had a total of about $10. I went to the grocery store with my $10 and wondered what would help me the most. I bought a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter and jelly mixed together. I couldn’t afford a separate jar of jelly and a jar of peanut butter. I was desperate and extremely hungry.

I was too prideful and stubborn to ask people for help. I knew there were very few people on campus that week. And then an idea jumped into my mind, “Ask me to inspire those who are left on campus for spring break to invite you to their meals.”

I prayed that very thing. After each practice I walked around campus looking for anyone I could find. I’d go up to them and say hello, all the while I was thinking in my mind, “Jesus, Please put the idea in them to invite me to eat for free with them!”

I made sure I didn’t eat too much of their food, even though my body was screaming for more calories. One or two plates of food was better than nothing. I was invited almost every night. Even students who didn’t know me very well invited me.

I was on my way walking past the laundry room and someone shouted at me. “We have a ton of leftover food from dinner if you want some.” That night I ate a lot. I was hungry most of that week, but what I will never forget was Jesus helping me through it.