The Last Loaf of Bread Mara stood in the grocery aisle staring at a single loaf of bread. It was the cheapest one. Her cart was otherwise empty. Her son, Eli, had fallen asleep at home with his stomach aching—not from illness, but from hunger. She had promised him dinner. Promises were becoming harder to keep. At the checkout, Mara realized she was short by five dollars. She stepped aside, heat flooding her face, fighting tears as other shoppers passed. That was when she noticed the envelope on the floor near the counter. Inside were bills—more money than she had held in months. No one was looking. Her hands shook as she closed the envelope. God, please, she prayed silently. Just this once. I need this. But a small voice inside her whispered louder than her fear. She picked up the envelope and turned it in. The cashier’s eyes widened. “Someone’s been crying over this all afternoon.” Mara walked out with nothing. That night, she cut the last slice of bread at home in half and gave the bigger piece to Eli. “It’s okay, Mommy,” he said softly. “Jesus fed people with almost nothing.” Mara turned away so he wouldn’t see her break. One day, a knock came at the door. A woman stood there clutching the same envelope, now wrinkled. “You don’t know me,” she said through tears. “But last week, you returned something I thought was gone forever.” She explained the money was rent—her final chance to keep her family from eviction. Behind her, a delivery truck pulled up. Boxes of groceries were unloaded. Then more. “And this,” the woman said, handing Mara another envelope, “is from my church. They asked me to find you.” Mara collapsed into a chair, sobbing. She finally understood something faith had taught her too slowly: Obedience doesn’t ignore pain. It trusts God through it. That night, Mara served dinner with a full table—and a full heart. --- Lesson True faith chooses obedience even when it hurts. God sees every unseen sacrifice and meets His children in their deepest need. > “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19