A great secret of life(Darrell Case) Waking, Gabriel smiled. The small boy could hear his father was hard at work. Levi was making a table for Remon. Gabe watched his mother. She had been to the well and fetched water for the day. She turned and smiled at him.

“Are you ready for breakfast, my son?” Hannah said.

“Yes, mother.” Then he remembered. “Jesus is coming today.” Gabriel said, leaping out of bed. He ran to the table and jumped into his chair. The food halfway to his mouth, he stopped. His mother looked at him. She laughed. “You forgot again, didn’t you?” He reddened and bowed his head. “God, thank you for this food. Please feed the beggars and help daddy to make a sturdy table. Amen.”

Hannah resumed washing the cookware. As the child ate, her mind returned to when Gabriel was a baby. What fun they had. Levi made a little cart for Gabriel. Hannah took him everywhere. To the well for water, to the market for fish. She put the fish in beside her child. She only did that once. At that age, everything ended up in his mouth. From then on, she carried the fish. It took forever to get the smell of fish out of Gab’s clothing.

After he ate his meal, Gab hurried outside to watch his daddy fit the legs into the bottom of the table. Pounding the legs into the holes, Levi straightened up. “Your just in time. Ready to stamp our symbol on the bottom of the table?”

“Yes, father.” Gab said. His father handed Gab the tongs. The little boy fitted the mouth of the tongs into the piece of metal. Levi made sure the piece of metal was smooth on the bottom of the table and the contact was sure.

“Hold it steady. Gab held the tool with both hands as his father taught him. “Turn your head away.” There was a sharp rap, then another. “Ok, let’s see." Gab removed the piece of metal. Indented in the wood was Levi’s symbol of the family. Gab smiled at his father. Seven years ago, Levi added a G to the H and L.

The letters were very prominent. “Someday you will be a great carpenter.” Levi said, lightly grasping his son’s shoulder. Gabriel beamed at his father. Hannah came out of the house. In her arms, she carried a basket.

Levi lifted the cover. “Mmmm, fresh baked bread and what is this? Two fish? Boy, we are going to eat gooood today.”
“I thought we might get hungry.” She smiled at her husband and son. “It will be after sunset when we return.”

“Your right, my dear.” Levi said, kissing his wife.

As they walked, they came upon other people heading the same way. They conversed together on the wonders of God they saw in this man. Others had already settled by the time they arrived. Levi, Hannah, and Gabriel found a comfortable spot halfway up the hillside where they could hear. Quiet settled on the crowd as they listened. Soon, the words of The Lord captivated them. Christ spoke as one having authority. As Jesus finished, Gab said. “I’m going to ask Him if he will eat with us.”

Before they could stop him, Gab ran down the hill. He slowed as he came to Jesus. His face reddening, he turned to go back to his mother and father.

Andrew said.” Do you seek healing, my son?”Gab swallowed. “I…I … I thought He might be…be hungry. I…I have 5 loaves and some small fish.”

He felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked with tear-filled eyes on the kindly face of Christ. “Hello Gab, good to see you.

Gab said in astonishment, “You... you know me.”

“Yes. I have known you for quite a while.” He smiled at the young boy.

“He thought you might be hungry.” Andrew said, indicating the bag Gab carried.

“Indeed, I am, but so as these people,” Jesus said with a sweep of his hand.

“But…but I don’t have enough for everyone.” Gab said.

Looking in the bag, Andrew said. “My Lord, there are only five barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Smiling, Jesus said. “Have the people sat down and bring all my helpers.” As the men lined up, Jesus reached into Gab’s bag. The young boy watched in amazement as Christ kept pulling fish and loaves from the bag. Finally, Christ handed the bag back to the little boy. Open-mouthed, he looked in. There were still 5 loaves and 2 small fish. Jesus smiled. “Go share with your family.”
”Thank you.” Was all Gab could think to say.

Later, as the family returned home, Gab remembered the parting words of Christ.

“Gab, thank you for sharing your lunch with me. People will speak about what you did today for a long time.” Jesus said, laying his hand lightly on the little boy’s shoulder.

 Levi and Hannah smiled at their son. Today, he had learned one of the great secrets of life. What you share with others always blesses you.

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