Thanksgiving is over, but the food is still lingering. Thank goodness I like eating leftovers, but I know many people turn their noses up at them. I’m sure there are lots of reasons they don’t like leftovers. Maybe the food doesn’t taste as good the second time, or it isn’t as crispy and has gotten soggy from sitting in the refrigerator.
I love a one-and-done outfit when it comes to fashion. A jumpsuit or a dress is a great way to take one time and create an entire look around it. I don’t have to worry about picking two items (a top and a bottom) since the jumpsuit and dress are everything all in one.
I’m also like this when it comes to food. I love one-and-done meals. Give me a big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup, chicken pot pie, spaghetti, chicken and dumplings, chili, etc., and I can eat on it for the entire week. I love knowing that there are leftovers in the refrigerator calling my name.
My son and DIL waited too long to buy their fresh turkey, and when they went to the store, a 30lb. turkey was all that was left. While they had a large crowd to feed, that size turkey was still too big, and they were left with a ton of it left over. I told my DIL she could freeze the turkey in small freezer bags and make soup with them later.
Jesus might have been the first example of taking leftovers and using them to feed others.
Matthew 14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus took a small amount of food and fed over 5000 men, women, and children. No, He didn’t make soup. He used the food and performed a miracle. I’m sure no one was turning up their noses at these leftovers.
But there is a dark side to leftovers, too. The food I love the most seems to disappear quickly. The sweet potato crunch from Thanksgiving is now just a memory. But, a few items have lingered, and lingered, and lingered. I hate throwing out food, but I can see that we aren’t going to eat it. Plus, if you look in the back of my refrigerator, you might find some scary-looking food that has been unseen and forgotten. Can you relate?
The problem with leftovers is that it doesn’t only relate to food. Time is also something that we use as leftovers. I know I spend a lot of time on my computer and have been guilty of giving my family leftover time. Just this morning, Joe and I had to consciously close both our laptops to have a little morning conversation.
Joe is as guilty as I am for having his nose in a laptop or phone, so I don’t feel too bad about looking at mine. However, I’m also guilty of giving my Lord and Savior leftover time. Sure, I’ll listen to a sermon online or read some Bible verses, but it can be when I have a few minutes to spare. I’m afraid my time with the Lord might be in the back of my refrigerator with some hairy-looking stuff growing on it.
They say being aware of a problem is the key to fixing it. I sure hope that is true! If the Lord wants to feed me leftovers, I’ll gladly eat them throughout the week. But I want to make sure I don’t feed HIM my leftovers. He deserves only the first, the freshest, and the best of my time.
Go open your Bible, and enjoy your leftover turkey sandwich.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
