How Do You Feel About Leftovers
Thanksgiving is over, but the food is still lingering. Thank goodness I like eating leftovers, but I know many people turn their noses up at them. I’m sure there are lots of reasons they don’t like leftovers. Maybe the food doesn’t taste as good the second time, or it isn’t as crispy and has gotten soggy from sitting in the refrigerator.
I love a one-and-done outfit when it comes to fashion. A jumpsuit or a dress is a great way to take one time and create an entire look around it. I don’t have to worry about picking two items (a top and a bottom) since the jumpsuit and dress are everything all in one.
I’m also like this when it comes to food. I love one-and-done meals. Give me a big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup, chicken pot pie, spaghetti, chicken and dumplings, chili, etc., and I can eat on it for the entire week. I love knowing that there are leftovers in the refrigerator calling my name.
My son and DIL waited too long to buy their fresh turkey, and when they went to the store, a 30lb. turkey was all that was left. While they had a large crowd to feed, that size turkey was still too big, and they were left with a ton of it left over. I told my DIL she could freeze the turkey in small freezer bags and make soup with them later.
Jesus might have been the first example of taking leftovers and using them to feed others.
Matthew 14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus took a small amount of food and fed over 5000 men, women, and children. No, He didn’t make soup. He used the food and performed a miracle. I’m sure no one was turning up their noses at these leftovers.
But there is a dark side to leftovers, too. The food I love the most seems to disappear quickly. The sweet potato crunch from Thanksgiving is now just a memory. But, a few items have lingered, and lingered, and lingered. I hate throwing out food, but I can see that we aren’t going to eat it. Plus, if you look in the back of my refrigerator, you might find some scary-looking food that has been unseen and forgotten. Can you relate?
The problem with leftovers is that it doesn’t only relate to food. Time is also something that we use as leftovers. I know I spend a lot of time on my computer and have been guilty of giving my family leftover time. Just this morning, Joe and I had to consciously close both our laptops to have a little morning conversation.
Joe is as guilty as I am for having his nose in a laptop or phone, so I don’t feel too bad about looking at mine. However, I’m also guilty of giving my Lord and Savior leftover time. Sure, I’ll listen to a sermon online or read some Bible verses, but it can be when I have a few minutes to spare. I’m afraid my time with the Lord might be in the back of my refrigerator with some hairy-looking stuff growing on it.
They say being aware of a problem is the key to fixing it. I sure hope that is true! If the Lord wants to feed me leftovers, I’ll gladly eat them throughout the week. But I want to make sure I don’t feed HIM my leftovers. He deserves only the first, the freshest, and the best of my time.
Go open your Bible, and enjoy your leftover turkey sandwich.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
I love leftovers – no need to cook that night!
Thank you for a timely reminder! I look forward to your Sunday posts!
Thank you for your post today. We need to spend time on top priorities.
I love leftovers. I have a good meal for lunch the next day (or two or three).
This one touched my heart. I’m guilty of giving left over time to God…after I have spent a large amount of time with electronics. I needed to hear this. thank you. PS. I live Thanksgiving leftovers!
Hi Tania
Love your posts as well as your insights.
Turkey leftovers are the best. But can totally relate to having too many leftovers.
Oh just a sideline. You often do Walmart clothing The clothes you post are often so cute. I live in Canada and our Walmarts bear no relation to the US ones.
Lynn
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Lynn, I love turkey leftovers, they are the best. I shop Walmart online, but I know the items are different in each country.
Love it – What a wonderful way to explain this thought!
Good message. I love leftovers too. Especially, if someone else
has make the item. I love to be served…lol
God Bless, enjoy your Sunday, day of rest!!!
Amen!
Great thoughts on leftovers! Love Thanksgiving leftovers – if I have the meal elsewhere I will roast a turkey breast/leg at home to have some! Easy fix is turkey-on-toast w/gravy; another one takes more time but good alternate: turkey curry (adapt Joy of Cooking curry recipe, need to have rice, unsweetened coconut, sliced bananas, peanuts, chutney on hand) 🙂
Love today’s post.
We’ve been eating leftovers for 3 days now and even though I am so glad I haven’t had to cook we are starting to tire of them.
Excellent post for today. Great analogy. I really enjoy your Sunday posts. You are so relatable to everyday life. Many blessings to you and your family. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Rory!
I love leftovers and am the same as you-one and done meals are the best!
AMEN! I love this!
A very good analogy. Hits close to home.
Absolutely LOVE this post!!!! God indeed deserves our “best”.Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for the inspiring post. I’m happy to have leftovers since many people don’t have enough food.
Our priorities sunshine get skewed for sure. Great analogy today!
Thank you for this message of encouragement Tania!
I love leftovers and also your reference to giving only leftover time to God. Thanks!
This is so true. Thank you for reminding me to put God first.
Amen!!
What a lovely post, Tania!
What a beautiful way to incorporate God with our present season. This also personally resonates with an issue in my life. Thank you, Tania.
Great post
GREAT POST! I sure wouldn’t want our Lord’s leftover time! I start every day with prayer and LOVE attending Mass on Sunday! Have a great day❤❤❤
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Beautifully said and so true about not giving HIM our leftovers. His leftovers are good because there is always a refreshing or something new to learn. 💛
I don’t mind leftovers, but only once or twice. As far as the Thanksgiving meal, I can only do that once a year and then leftovers once . . . except for our traditonal tamales – I can do these any day and all day. 🤦🏻♀️😜
Happy week! 😊
Love leftovers. I think eating them brings back the feeling of being at the holiday table with loved ones. Love your Sunday posts too! 💕❤️
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I sure needed this message today. In the hustle and bustle of holidays, work, medical appointments and fatigue, I haven’t been as diligent as I once was in reading my Bible early in the morning before the busy-ness of the day filled the hours. Thanks for stepping on my toes. Great wake-up call and one that was needed.
Elizabeth, I never mean to step on toes. I’m a struggling Christian, and I’m posting and sharing to prompt myself. I hope that others who are struggling find the posts helpful too.
Thank you for the devotion this morning. A good reminder of giving the Lord our best.
Have a wonderful upcoming week! Appreciate you & look forward to your daily inspirational ideas!
Thank You!
Good message to reflect on. I like leftovers. However it depends on what it is.
That’s a great message that I needed to hear this morning. Thanks, Tania.
I think Thanksgiving dinner tastes better the next day, because you’re more relaxed to enjoy it. Cornbread dressing always tastes good the next day as well as all the rest.
Nothing better than warmed up turkey, gravy and stuffing ❤️
That is a great way of looking at leftovers❤️
I loved this very inspirational post Tania! Thank you for starting my day with it. Have a beautiful day and enjoy those leftovers, which btw I love also!
That is a great idea, a date with our Heavenly Father! Like a coffee date:)
A great and timely reminder. Thank you.
This is so true of most of us. After the price Jesus paid for us we should be willing to give Him the first and best. I will also try harder. Thank you for this message and wake up call.
Love your devotional! Thankful for so many things & not just at Thanksgiving! Jesus is the reason for every season!
I too enjoy leftovers from time to time!
Thankful for you & your inspiration!
Jen
I will usually have a few turkey sandwiches with cream cheese and cranberry sauce and then I am done. Hubby finishes off the dressing and potatoes. We are probably all guilty of spending too much time on our phones/laptops. New Years resolution??!!
Love the devotional! Thankful for so many things & not just at Thanksgiving. Jesus is the reason for every season!
Tania,
It seems that the Holy Spirit is nudging you. That is a good thing.
We need to be reminded of what we have in the Lord. Thank you for you Sunday messages.
Debra, I feel nudged quite a lot. I need to pay attention when I feel that way.
Hi Tania, I hope you had great Thanksgiving. Just a suggestion with the leftover, I cut the meat and store them in baggies to freeze. Some of them I slice, some a do squares and the smaller pieces I bag for soup. When time is rush, I do “Timbale” with turkey carrots, peas in white sauce. Easy dinner to prepare and fast. With the sliced pieces, I keep a bit of the gravy and reheat them in the gravy and VOILA!, fast and easy dinner. The pieces are reserved for either sandwich at noon or soup. Since they are bagged by dinner portion they thaw fast when you don’t know what you will do for supper or you realized that you have been on your computer too long and it’s soon dinner time! Bon Appetit!
Those ae great tips, thanks for sharing.
Love leftovers
What a beautiful, timely message, Tania! I am guilty of giving the Lord (and at times, my loved ones!) “leftover time” and need to be intentional about turning off the phone/computer to give the Lord the first fruits of my labor. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!