Years ago, I had a Thanksgiving experience that has reminded me to be thankful for leftovers. Putting away leftovers became a reminder to me of the Lord’s abundance.
This particular Thanksgiving occurred during our farming days. We had a hired hand named Max who irrigated for us. We invited him to come for dinner but he felt uncomfortable with that, so, Dave took a platter of food down to him. I had put some of everything on that plate.
Dave came back and he was almost speechless. Max said he had never seen so much food at a single setting. In fact, he wanted to know if we were going to come down and eat with him because this was just “too much food”. Dave told him it was all for him. Max was overwhelmed to say the least.
That year as I cleared the table and put away the leftovers my heart swelled with gratitude. We certainly had more than we needed, we had more than enough. We had an abundance that we took for granted.
Leftovers.
I wonder how the mother of the boy in the Bible who had a lunch of five loaves and two small fish felt when her son came home with leftovers.
“ Jesus said, “Bring the bread and the fish to me.” 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish. He looked into the sky and thanked God for the food. Then he broke the bread into pieces, which he gave to the followers, and they gave the food to the people. 20 Everyone ate until they were full. When they finished eating, the followers filled twelve baskets with the pieces of food that were not eaten.” Matthew 14:18-20 ERV
Here was a boy with a sack lunch, just enough to satisfy his appetite. Jesus took what he willingly offered and created a miracle that fed a multitude. I’m sure that some of what had been gathered was sent home with the boy. That’s what God does.
When we give, God gives. In fact, God gives before we do.
“ Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV
As we head into the Christmas season I want to be mindful of all that the Father gives us on a daily basis. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
May something as small as a bowl of leftovers be a reminder of God’s abundant blessings.