Many people are never happy where they are. They remember the past with nostalgia or look forward to the future in hopes of being happy. God had freed the Israelites and led them out of Egypt with signs of power, but once they were in the desert all was forgotten. They complained about the lack of food and water - and God always provided for them. Even the manna was not enough - they wanted meat! The complaining people looked back longingly on their time in Egypt - it wasn't so bad! The oppression and brutality were conveniently forgotten. Poor Moses felt discouraged and defeated, even asking God to take his life. Happiness is to be found where we are. If we cannot be happy in the present it will not be different anywhere else. God is found in the present and God is to be trusted - God will not let us down. Whining and complaining in our hearts is not helpful at all.

Faced with the task of feeding 5,000 people with so little food, the disciples were on the verge of giving in to despair. But Jesus blessed what they had and distributed it and there was more than enough for all. Once again, the people were taught that God can be trusted and that God is compassionate and generous. Let us not focus on lack or give in to doubt and fear. Even in the midst of our own personal desert God is with us.