We just celebrated Thanksgiving.
There were almost 20 people here for dinner and I still had leftovers. Some I sent home with the kids and grandkids, but I still had lots of turkey left … and ham, too. So… soups and casseroles are in our future. And thank You, Lord, for a freezer!
This morning, as I was cleaning the meat off the turkey carcass and making soup, I just kept thinking about what a blessing it is to have leftovers … and that I should not take them for granted. There are so many people in this world that don’t have anywhere near enough … let alone leftovers.
Then I thought about Jesus feeding several thousand people with just a few loaves and fish … and they had leftovers! In fact, they had more food left over than what they started with! Only God can do that! (And I’m so glad I didn’t have more food left over than what I started with!)
In one instance, 5000 men (plus women and children) were following Jesus … soaking in His teaching … many needing His healing touch. The day was passing quickly … it was getting late … and people were getting hungry. And, most likely, the apostles wanted dinner, too. We are so used to restaurants and grocery stores on every street corner that we can’t imagine being somewhere where food isn’t readily available. Many places in this world are still that way. Food is a scarce commodity … any food.
I’ve often thought about the leftovers from those few pieces of bread and fish. Why were there leftovers? I mean, Jesus could just have easily multiplied what they had to be “just enough.”
Well, speaking as a mama, I always want leftovers. When everything is eaten, I wonder if people really had enough. And from this story … and the leftovers … we know Jesus provided enough … enough so that everyone had their fill … enough for leftovers.
But, isn’t it always that way with God? He is El Shaddai … the All-Sufficient God … He is enough. And He is not just enough. He is MORE THAN ENOUGH. He supplies our needs … with enough to share … with leftovers. And He is not on a budget. He doesn’t have to limit what He gives to one person so that He has enough for someone else. He is MORE THAN ENOUGH … for all of us. Hallelujah!
Now to Him who is able
to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power
that is at work within us,
to Him be glory
in the church
and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations,
for ever and ever!
Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21