The Leftovers were gathered in baskets

Many years ago I was driving along Scenic Hi-way 7 in Northern Itasca county. I was on my way to the Rajala Mill in Bigfork, Mn. As I came over a hill my eyes caught a glint of something shiny in the swamp next to the road. I slowed to get a better view and I couldn't believe my eyes. There on the edge of the swampy woods was an adult sized tricycle and an old man struggling to make his way to the road. He was hopelessly mired in muck and just sitting there exhausted and motionless. 

I happened to be pulling a trailer behind my large Chevy Beauville van with which I planned to get a load of millrun cut offs for my woodworking shop. As I came to a stop I realized that it would take some doing for me, a young strong guy of German descent to get that old guy and his trike out of the swamp. But I offered, he accepted, and after a half hour of working together pulling, hacking, and lifting we had his conveyance in my trailer and, catching his breath he thanked me and extended his seasoned hand, his name was Hans Evenson. He was a Finn and he had just been rescued by a German preacher on vacation.

I had to ask the inevitable question:"What in the world were you doing with your trike in the swamp?" His smile and twinkling eyes were my answer. Then he motioned and in broken English he said: "Come, I show ya."

That was the beginning of a new era in my life. I turned the van and trailer around and made the way down a drive to a small house sitting in a cleared area in the woods. As soon as I got there we took the muddy bike off the trailer and Hans motioned for me to follow him into his house. When we got inside I saw a sight I had never seen before and certainly didn't expect. His whole house was filled with hand crafted baskets and all the mess, supplies, tools and debris that go along with an almost lost art.

I was politely impressed by the mess, but since I was single-minded in my quest for free wood at the mill, I turned down an offered basket, and mildly scolded this senior woodsman for taking his trike in the swamp.

(cont'd from earlier... I got interrupted)

What comes to mind are the many references to baskets in the Bible. One that is especially to the point is the reference to the caregiving grace and mercy of Jesus. We have a hard time understanding how it was possible for him to feed thousands of people at one time with a few small fish and 5 loaves of bread. But he did. In fact, he provided so amply for the needs of the people that he gave instructions to the disciples to gather up the left overs. When they did the had several (12) baskets full.  Joh 6:13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

What we often overlook is the obvious. In addition to having plenty of food, the disciples were learning a very important lesson through the miraculous feeding of the 5ooo. Jesus wanted them to learn, each one of them, that he would also take care of them, even if it took a miracle.

I hope the lesson isn't lost on us. We don't frequently have so much bread leftover that we have to gather it up in large quantities. Nor do we usually use baskets to hold the leftovers that we have. But there they were. Mere coincidence, I don't think so.  The baskets were there by the will and foreknowledge of God. The numbers are significant as well, as Jesus continued to teach his disciples about his providential care.

I don't think it was an accident or coincidence that I happened along to rescue old Hans. It wasn't my doing, I didn't plan it at all, in fact it was the furthest thing from my mind for things to unfold as they did. But God knew then as always what He wanted to be done.

About Hans, I never saw him again, but when I went to the bank one day some time later that summer, I noticed a display of baskets on a card table with his picture setting in the middle. He was the featured artist that month. I mentioned my little episode with Hans to the teller as I was carryiing on my banking. When I did, she suddenly flushed and stopped counting out my change, "So you're the one who helped Hans!" "Stay right there," she said, and she went to a back room and came forward with a basket, and handing it to me she blurted out, "Hans said we should keep our eye out for a young preacher from on Gunn Lake. If he comes in, give him this, I made it for him."

I have the basket on display in my home. It reminds me of how God works in our lives in spite of us, and how he cares for us in ways and at times we don't envision. God's always got his eye on you!

Comments

[Ann Winkler]

How does the title relate to the story?

[Ann Winkler]

Now that the second part is added, the title makes sense. Thanks.