Left Overs

There is something special about a meal of left overs. The memories of a shared meal. A nostalgic reminder of the richness of an evening. The continued provision into one’s life through remains. The unexpected surprise of more even when you thought there couldn’t be more.

I enjoy left overs. I had them for dinner last night. I shared them with my sister and her family. I didn’t have to cook. It was more than a bowl of cereal. I felt healthy and lucky, and generous and kind, and we laughed when I thought of some of the events of the night before when the party actually had taken place.

Left overs. Some people are too good for them. Some too proud, some too jaded. I’ve been that at different times in my past. And I was wrong.

Jesus loved left overs. In Matthew 14:20 there is a small verse right after the amazing miracle of the feeding of the 5000 where we are told that “they took up 12 baskets full of the broken pieces left over.”

Abundance. Extra. Unexpected overflow.

Life with Jesus always gives you left overs. He gives blessings with more for later. Can you even imagine the disciples 2 days later sitting down to eat. “What should we have for dinner tonight, boys” Thomas may have asked. “Well, we do have those 12 baskets worth of fish and chips”, Peter may have answered. And the memories would have rolled back in. Remember the face of that woman on the 5 row when she was handed yet another piece of fish? And, and, remember those kids, the dance they broke into? How about Andrew’s face, when Jesus took that measly packet of bread and fish and started a small fish factory.

And on and on the memories of blessing and abundance and  goodness and grace would have come flowing in.

Leading to the inevitable outpouring of love and goodness and grace and blessing to others.

God gives enough for left overs.

What are you doing with your left overs?

Are you sharing them with others?

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