Dear Audrey,
Happy birthday #7.
Perhaps you already know this about me but… I love leftovers!
This year your birthday falls really close to Thanksgiving. And as you know, we have really yummy Thanksgiving food. And lots of leftovers – which I am still enjoying.
Turkey… yum!
Mac and cheese… yum!
Deviled eggs… yum!
Stuffing… yum!
Sweet potato casserole… double yum!
Mocha cheesecake… triple yum!
My philosophy has always been that if it tastes good once then it tastes good twice. Or three or four times. It has never bothered me to eat the same meal several nights in a row.
Did you know that there are several stories about leftovers in the Bible. In the Gospel of Mark chapters 6 & 8, we read about the feeding of the 5000 and the feeding of the 4000. In both cases there were lots and lots of leftovers.
Jesus used leftovers to make a specific point. Note what He said in Mark 8:19-21…
When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
What didn’t they understand?
They didn’t understand that Jesus could supply all their needs. Paul reminded the Philippians of this when he wrote: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
This is an important lesson to learn early in your life. Say, when you turn 7 years old.
Why you might ask? Because there will be MANY times in the years to come when you will feel like your needs are not being met. I will say a few things about this:
- Don’t confuse your needs with your wants.
- Sometimes God’s provision doesn’t come according to YOUR timetable.
- More often than not, God’s delay is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your faith in Him.
- And often God’s delay is a tough test that He wants to turn into a tremendous testimony.
But never doubt that our God will ALWAYS supply all your needs.
The next time that you have leftovers for supper might be a good time for you to say a prayer of thanksgiving – letting Him know that you have confidence that He will indeed always “supply every need of yours according to His riches in Christ Jesus.”
Never forget that you are very loved,
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