I went to the well for the water of life, but no one gave me a drink. I went to the cupboard for the bread which sustains, and no one gave me to eat. My soul was famished and in need of spiritual strength, but everyone was searching to fill his or her own empty cup. I watched while others went frantically from well to well and cupboard to cupboard to find a nourishment to suit their taste, but no one offered me food or drink. I listened to the language of those who were sound in their belief and in their behavior, but still no one gave me to eat. I worshiped with those who seemed to be happy and emotionally full, but their water they did not share. My hunger grew worse and my thirst became unbearable. "Does no one care that I perish?" I thought.

My inner hunger and emptiness were about to overwhelm me when a frail little person asked for my help. I could hardly believe that someone would ask of me because all I had left were the crumbs of a fading faith. At first I wanted to say, "Go to them who have more to offer. They are the ones happy and full. My well is empty and my cupboard is bare. I have nothing, absolutely nothing to share. Surely you do not wish to eat and drink from my limited supply of spiritual resources?" But then I thought, "Perhaps I could divide my crumbs." After all, I knew what it was like to be neglected by those who seemed so full of the bread of life. I could share my few drops of the water of life especially since I understood that kind of thirst. So, I gave what I had.

After sharing those morsels, which were leftovers of my spiritual drought, a miracle occurred. Both of us seemed to find the food we sought. It was as though a table had been prepared before us and our cups overflowed. I no longer felt people were avoiding me nor were they refusing me food. In sharing my crumbs I found the bread of life. In relieving another's thirst I found the fountain of living water. I no longer beg. I give away and have found the abundant life. The words of Jesus keep ringing in my ears, "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. He who loses his life for my sake will find it."