Leftovers: Make time for what is really important.
I wanted to write this blog about leftovers and when I was writing this I had two distinct points I wanted to make when it came to leftovers, one is the time we spend on the things we love most and the other is where we will start this off
Let's begin with some scripture, this comes from Matthew 6: 2-4
Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.
Have you ever been cleaning out the basement or garage and thought I have so much junk...I do this often, I personally hate having stuff lying around that we are not using or we haven’t used in months or years. I find myself cleaning out my electronics closet, we can discuss that another time, or my garage every few months, and in the past, I would not think twice about throwing all this “junk” away but after going to church and my wife’s suggestions we started donating a lot of stuff. We felt good about it too, we would get rid of all our junk and do good by donating it right? I mean what do they say, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
But sometimes junk is just that...junk. Sometimes we want to feel good about ourselves and we decide to donate stuff we would usually throw away, and we go to the church or the donation center with our chests pumped out and feeling high and mighty about our donation. Let's unpack this a little
We should not take so much pride in donating stuff we would probably just throw away
Are you donating for the right reasons or just to clean up junk?
Is the stuff you are donating something you would be happy to receive?
Have you looked at something and said “it’s good enough for ‘them’” or some other term for a group of people in need?
Now don't get me wrong donating old clothes, that aren't all holy and stanky is great or toys for kids...that aren't broken and missing pieces. But with that said if you are giving away clothes that are stained or have holes in them or toys that are broken or games missing pieces or crayons that are broken, you may want to rethink that...let’s put it this way. What if you have kids and your mom or your mother in law sends a present for the kids and they sit down and open it up and it’s a game of Yahtzee missing one of the dice and a box of crayons with no blue or red and most of the others are broke in half. What if your husband got you a new purse like a real fancy purse that is really in style and it looks great but it has a piece of duct tape on the bottom covering a hole and it actually smells a little funky. Or for peeps like me, what if your wife got you an iPad and you open it up and the screen is smashed, cracks all over the place.
Let's take a look at this closer the game of Yahtzee is missing a die, so you can technically use the game but it isn't complete and the dynamic of the game would completely change and really you aren't able to use it as intended. The box of Crayons that are missing blue and red and the broken pieces, you can get a new box for $1...why would that lady send us a box of broken crayons?!?
That purse, its a name brand, and it still holds all your stuff so technically it’s a purse and a great present right, you wouldn't be mad at your husband for that one right ladies???
Now let’s get to the iPad with the cracked screen, it still turns on but you can't really read the text on the screen and the video is a little jittery when it plays back but technically it works so it's good enough right? Ok the iPad was a stretch but I typed this up on an iPad so it was relevant to me lol
My point is this, getting that stuff would almost be insulting because they were leftovers, they were basically garbage. Now if that's all a person can afford I am not saying this is bad but in this example, your mother-in-law, your husband, and your wife can all afford to get you something nice. So how would you feel if they looked you square in the face and said “it’s good enough for you” or “you don't have one (game, purse, iPad) so you should be happy with whatever I give you”.
Would you feel good they gave you something or would you feel less than because they thought so little of you that a game missing pieces or a busted iPad was good enough for you and they think you should be happy with it?
Just because someone doesn't have something or doesn't have anything doesn't mean they should be ‘happy’ with anything if we have junk throw it out and if you want to donate give away something of worth or go buy a new toy or a new game or some new clothes and give those away. Think about if you had nothing how amazing getting something brand new would feel, something like a box of new crayons or coloring book that cost you $5 could mean the world to a kid who doesn't have much. You may never see the smile or the reaction but take solace in knowing you gave to a child or a person in need something that was not just good enough but something that will last for a long time.
Another way we give leftovers is with the Lord, when I say that I mean we read our bible at the end of the day each night as we fall asleep but we gladly tell the world “I read my Bible every day” but leave out the part that says we could barely keep our eyes open. God deserves our best, our freshest and that's what we should do. Plan out your day around your time with Jesus, can you wake up a half-hour early before them crazy kids get up and start tearing up the house because you know you're too tired at the end of the day to really put in what you need to get the most from spending time with Jesus. What about your lunch when you sit around watching youtube videos or watching people on twitch playing games...ok yes this one is me but I’m sure I’m not alone.
What about family, I get worn out from work and when I get home I am tired and sometimes frustrated so who gets that awesome attitude...my family. Sometimes I am upset the kids want my attention when I get home because I have had such a stressful day...well guess what dummy, they have been thinking about seeing you all day and spending time with you. They don't care about your work and neither does God, both only see one thing and that is your disinterest and when you actually give the time...it’s leftovers.
Luke 10:38-42
While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.”
The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”
Don't get distracted by the outside world spend quality time with the Lord, don't keep yourself so busy, even with Church work that you can not spend the one-on-one time with Jesus that he requires and you need.
Don't give for the sake of giving, give with purpose and with joy in your heart. We are all God’s children, did you hear that, do you get that...we are all God’s children. We are all deserving of his love and he more than deserves our love and attention.
Do not give your family, your neighbor, or your Lord LEFTOVERS.
God Bless
Larry
