On a happy school day, Tom, Hanna, Lukas and Emma sat together on the bench in the playground. The sun shone warmly on her, and laughing children’s voices buzzed through the air everywhere. It was dinner time! Everyone took out their lunch boxes, ready to enjoy the treats they had brought with them.
“Oh wow, today I have a cheese sandwich with cucumber slices!”, Hanna said enthusiastically.
Emma opened her tin and proudly pointed to her delicious carrot sticks. “My grandma always says that carrots make your eyes sharp!”
But before Lukas could take his first bite, he suddenly sighed. “Damn, I forgot my spoon. Now I can’t eat my yogurt…”
“Oh no, it looks totally delicious!”, Tom said pityingly. Then he thought for a moment and shouted: “Don’t worry, we’ll help you!” He looked around and thought.
“Hey, I have an idea!”, Hanna said happily. “Let’s pray. Then we will certainly find a solution!”
Everyone put their lunch boxes aside for a moment, folded their hands and Tom said the prayer:
“Dear God, thank you for having our food. Please help us to help one another, just as Jesus showed us. Amen.”
Just as they had finished praying, Emma suddenly reached into her pocket and pulled out a second spoon.
“That’s crazy!” she exclaimed, laughing. “I accidentally packed two spoons this morning!”
Lukas beamed all over his face. “Thank you, Emma! And thank you, God! Now I can eat my yoghurt after all!”
Everyone laughed and began to share their meals. Tom tasted Hanna’s cucumber slices, Emma got a piece of Lukas’ apple, and Lukas took some of Tom’s nuts. It was as if everyone had gotten exactly what they were missing.
Hanna chewed her sandwich with relish and then said, “That reminds me of the story of feeding the five thousand. Jesus and his disciples only had a few loaves and fishes, but when they shared together, there was enough for everyone—and more!”
Emma nodded thoughtfully. “That sounds really nice. Maybe it’s really the case that God helps us if we stick together.”
Lukas grinned. “Definitely. I didn’t have a spoon, and suddenly there was one! It’s almost like a small miracle.”
The friends laughed, continued to eat and enjoyed the company. They felt that it wasn’t just the food that made them happy – it was the sharing, the prayer, and their friendship that made this moment so special.
Bible passage
The biblical passage that fits well with the theme of laughing and helping! is Acts 2:44-47:
Acts 2:44-47 (Schlachter 2000):
“But all who had believed were gathered together, and had all things in common; they sold the goods and goods and distributed them among all according to the need of them. And they were daily with one accord together in the temple, breaking bread in the houses, taking the food with exultation and simplicity of heart; they praised God and found favor with all the people. And the Lord added daily those who were saved.”
This passage shows that sharing, mutual help and prayer strengthen the community and bring joy.
