Leftovers

I ran out of clean tupperware containers today because they were all in the fridge filled with leftovers in varying stages of decomposition.  It was well past time to clean out the fridge and toss the old food.  Some dishes were almost empty, some were not touched since the day they were put in the fridge, and  some were well...growing.  This task did however get me to thinking about leftovers.

I heard a Pastor speak once about how God doesn't want our leftovers.  As I cleaned out the fridge and loaded the dishwasher I kept thinking about this concept of giving God the leftovers.  I can't remember the entire thought the Pastor was getting at, but it went something along the line of giving to God the first of our time, energy, money, and so on.  I'm sure it is a valid principle but it wasn't the direction that my thoughts were headed. 

God was clearly saying to me He does want my leftovers. 

#1. My leftover time.  This is huge.  How often do we finish a task only to sit on the couch and veg out for the next 15 minutes until the next task comes along.  Give God that leftover time. Text a friend that needs encouragement, pray for your husband, listen to some praise and worship music on you tube, write a note to your Pastor, read a devotional on-line, or sit still and ask God to speak.

#2. My leftover money.  Little bits can make a big difference.  The change in the bottom of my purse can go in the jar for missions, a 5 dollar bill can buy lunch for a homeless guy, a small donation can help send a teen to a youth retreat, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash can be dropped off at a local women's shelter, and a generous tip can make the difference in your server's day.

#3.  My leftover energy.  What? Leftover energy?  Well, lets be honest.  Some days are slower than others and at the end of the day you know a little physical exertion would help you sleep.  Wash the windows of the church, pick up trash in the parking lot, mow the yard for the single mom down the street, offer to babysit for the young family you see every week at church, volunteer to chaperon the next youth group activity, or man the grill at the next church BBQ.

#4. When leftovers is all I have.  God still cares.  He knows you're tired, broke, and exhausted.  Some days all we can do is take care of ourselves we don't have anything left to give to others.  Kids get sick, cars break down, company comes to visit, water heaters die, emotions overwhelm, accidents happen, and emergencies pop up.  Life happens but it's in these moments you can crawl in bed, bury your head under the covers, and cry or you can dig through the fridge and pull out those leftovers.  Draw strength, boldness, courage, and wisdom from the things you have in your life and step forward.

How will you use your leftovers today?  I'm going to give mine to God.