I want one of those baskets

A friend of mine from Ghana, Africa gave me a basket made by one of the local artisans in the country. It's a beautiful basket made of four colors of grass. Three of the colors are dyed grasses of purple, green, and red, and the fourth color is made of a natural color dried grass. The four colors of grass are woven together and the end result is a sturdy basket. He brought many baskets to the house, and gave me an opportunity to choose one. The basket I chose was unlike any I'd seen before. Most baskets my husband brings home from Ghana have handles. Instead of handles, this basket has woven hand grips (if that is the correct way to say it). I liked the uniqueness of the basket, so it was the one chosen. The baskets from Ghana are considered a treasure to me. The time, effort and craftsmanship used to make each of the baskets is appreciated each time I look at one. 

On my iPhone there is an app called 'You Version'. It's a bible app. It has many versions of the Holy Bible available to read, or listen too. It is a powerful tool for studying, reading, listening, and learning God's Word. My mind tends to wander a little when I sit and read. Distractions fly thru my mind, and before I know it a subject I did not intend on thinking about has overridden the words my eyes are scanning on the page. Frustration sets in and I attempt again to focus on the words I see. Over and over, my mind jumps  track and runs off into a different direction. The audio Bible available on 'You Version' has become a good friend of mine. I've found it easier to stay tuned into what is being read audibly, than what I read visually. More focus means more listening, and learning, and applying. 

I've heard sermons from these passages of scripture; 'Jesus answered, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Philip said, "Lord show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:6-9a. I want to know God more. I understand from these verses, if I want to know God more, learning about Jesus will give me knowledge about God. 

The old testament is wonderful to listen to on the 'You Version' app. I find the language soothing. Being reminded recently that if I want to know God more I need to study Jesus, I began listening to the four gospels in the New Testament. I want to know God more. Listening one Sunday morning as I got ready for church, Matthew was the book playing. It was in chapter 14, and a story I've heard all my life began to play. You've probably heard it too. The one about Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. It was a miracle. Only God can do a miracle. The end of the story was a miracle within itself. Not only did God feed 5,000 people, but he also had 12 basketfuls of leftovers. My Mammaw Smith would be ecstatic to have so many leftovers. It would be enough to feed her family for a week, or maybe two, depending upon the size of the basket. 

As I listened to the end of the story, and heard for the umpteenth time about the 12 basketfuls, the mention of the baskets caught my attention. What happened to the baskets? For several years my mom and I had spent time dealing, and selling, various items in flea market booths. We had bought out an antique store, bought items at auctions, and bought items at garage sales. Most items we bought were priced way below what their value was. We were able to sell the items in our flea market booth, and make a profit. It wasn't a big money maker, but it was a big memory maker. Many items made their way into our own collections. We saw various types of antiques. A lot of good memories were made, and we developed a greater appreciation for good antiques. 

Back to the miracle of the 12 basketfuls for leftovers. I wonder what happened to the 12 baskets? Where could they be? Could they be in someone's basket collection? Could they be in someone's attic collecting dust, and cob webs? What were they made of? Could they survive this many centuries?Have they been sold at an auction? Could they be sitting in a flea market somewhere? Are they at someone's home, and the person not know what they have? Wouldn't it be great to discover one of these baskets? You know, I would love to have one of those baskets. A basket used for leftovers. A basket that held a miracle.