LEFTOVERS

 Was reminded of this story this morning.  It's in Vol V of Life Is a Garden Party, available via Amazon.

LEFTOVERS

Today I saw a flock of Canadian geese feasting

in the nearby shorn cornfield months after harvesting.

It's January 5^th

and there are snowdrifts.

It appeared it was the harvester's intent

to allow these geese to feed to their heart's content

for these geese were busy feeding their face

as a smile appeared on my countenance.

These stately geese

did not lease.

Their food was free

to gather, you see.

They were quite content

with food heaven-sent

for it was a gift from God this day -

a brisk January day.

The leftover field corn that had fallen

was as if a blessing from God had befallen

for God does provide for all His creatures.

Sometimes His provision is leftovers.

I was reminded of the story where the harvesters

in the Old Testament were instructed to leave leftovers

for the poor, the widows, and the fatherless to glean.

This was a commandment the harvesters esteemed.

Many were blessed by this practice for life is sometimes cruel.

There will always be the poor, the widows, the fatherless who

need encouragement from those who

gladly share what they have, it's true.

(There’s a flock of Canadian geese which winter over locally. Just last week waited for a gaggle of goslings to waddle across the road following mama goose. Often wish I had my camera with me. Sadly, cornfields in my neighborhood are disappearing.)

* * * * *

Nothing in life is certain

except for one's salvation.

Consider this this new year: you never know when you might lose your health.

If you lose your health, it undoubtedly will affect your wealth.

Where once before you considered yourself independent,

now you might rely on another as a dependent.

It might be the government's assistance

set up purposely for when you need deliverance.

It might be second-hand items given

by those who share with heartfelt donation

coming at the 11^th hour – just when you need.

You have no doubt God saw then provided with their good deed.

Perhaps someone provided a bag of groceries

or cleaned their closet then blessed you abundantly.

These "leftovers" were meant to bless you

and show you God provides for you.

Traditionally you think of leftovers after a meal.

These leftovers stretch your pennies into dollars – a deal.

However your leftovers come,

at some point you'll find they are welcome.

...pick up the leftover grain...

(Ruth) went out and began to glean in the fields

behind the harvesters.

Ruth 2:2-3a

They all ate and were satisfied,

and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls

of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew 14:20

They all ate and were satisfied.

Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls

of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew 15:37

In the gospels, these leftovers were referred to as “broken pieces.” It was Jesus who broke the bread into broken pieces. It was God who allowed Satan to buffet Job unmercifully. Another example, God permitted Joseph (in Genesis) to be imprisoned. Life lessons were gleaned from brokenness.

When the ship Paul was on ran aground causing the stern to be broken into pieces, those broken pieces were then used as “surf boards” to get the crew and prisoners safely to land. (Acts 27:41,44) Those broken pieces became lifesavers. Have you ever wondered if your broken pieces were actually God’s protection?

Please realize the broken pieces of your life will eventually have value. It may not feel valuable for some time, but keep in mind God has a plan for the future. Life lessons in the form of broken pieces may be used to encourage another.

Lord, heal our brokenness –

and may we be willing and able to offer healing to another.

Side note: Paul had many near-death adventures according to II Corinthians 11:23b-33. It’s not recorded how God delivered him until the last example in verse 33. A basket and a window became God’s method of deliverance. Be on the lookout for a “window of opportunity” to fill a “basket” of encouragement for someone.