Someone sent me this lovely story one day:

A loaf of bread fell from a moving bread truck and rolled a little further in the road. A piece of the bread broke off and lay in the street. Three sparrows saw the piece that had broken off. A fierce fight broke out between them, screeching and chirping all over the place.

After a terrible flapping of wings, one got the upper hand and began to eagerly pick up the crumbs, while the other two sat in a tree loudly protesting, all the while continuing with the noise.

None of them noticed the large loaf that lay further away. They were too busy fighting over the crumbs!

We argue over small things in life and ignore what is really important. We fight over the crumbs of who cleans the house, and who has to cook, but we don’t see the whole bread of the blessing of having a home.

We fight over the crumbs of who should wash the car and who should refuel it, but we don’t see the whole bread of blessings of owning a car.

We chatter about the crumbs of the people at work who do this and that, but we don’t see the whole bread of blessings of having a job, and the health to be able to do it.

We get so angry with each other over the trifles that precious relationships are broken.

Sometimes we have to stand back and look at our lives from a different angle. We need to realize that most of our bickering and fighting are about things that are really just about my own needs.

As soon as someone wants to take the things that are important to me, as soon as the things that are fun for me are at risk, I want to put on boxing gloves and protect them with everything in me. I get on my high horse too soon and am prepared to take out the other one.

But often we fight over the crumbs of life. There is so much more than just what is fun and important to us. There is a bread full of grace and blessing and a better life waiting for us.

That’s why sometimes we have to step back to see the full picture of where the crumbs are and where the real blessing is. Even if it is only human to do so, then we will see that it’s not worth fighting over what is only nice for us. Let’s rather look for the bread, where the real goodness is, where there is more than enough for everyone, and we don’t have to fight for crumbs.

¹Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves.

Scripture
James 4:1-6

Reflection
What are your crumbs?
What should you let go of?
What should you concentrate on instead?

Prayer
Father, I know that I sometimes fight over things that are just fun for me. I hear that You actually have much more in store for me. Help me change my perspective. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.