Take some turkey chunks, a can of mushroom soup, some veggies, a handful of noodles. Mix; top with cheddar cheese and French onion rings, throw it (well, don't THROW it!) in the oven....and what do you have? A Thanksgiving LEFTOVER casserole for Friday--AND Saturday--AND if you added ENOUGH of everything, you--and your grateful (??) family will "enjoy" it on Sunday as well!
Leftovers are a part of the whole "dining experience" in our society; our moms did it--we turned up our noses; now we do it--and OUR kids turn up their noses. Hey, leftovers can be good, kids--lighten up! But hold on...for all leftovers are NOT good. No, I don't mean the kind you eat; I mean the kind I found in the Bible as a Sunday school kid--not tasty, not tempting--and NOT thankful!
Have you guessed the story? Ten lepers came to Christ for healing; He touched and healed them all. Nine of them "LEFT over" whatever their ingratitude, negligence or haste; only one remained to fall at our Lord's feet and thank Him. Now before you condemn these LEFTOVERS in Bible land, look around--we've got them in the land today...
Meet the "leftovers" in the family--Well, you can't really MEET them--they've skipped town. Spouses who have "left over" whatever reason seemed convenient at the time. forsaking their families for "greener pasture." Maybe you are one of the injured ones "left behind" and you're hurting, especially at this Thanksgiving season. That's tough--and I have no answers, except that the Grace of God will hold you, heal you, love you, support you, and bring you through. And please--don't ever let the "leftovers" of life color YOUR world so black that YOU leave too! Hang in there; God is on your side and will see you through.
Meet the LEFTOVERS in the Church! Know any? Well, you can't really meet them either--they're GONE too! People who leave over the most minor reasons: the pastor did not shake their hand; someone else was elected to a position they wanted; sister so-and-so can't stand brother so-and-so, and on it goes. How sad that believers in the Body of Christ should let hurt, misunderstanding, anger, bitterness, resentment--and sometimes just plain foolishness--cause them to reject the goodness and grace of God--and become the LEFTOVERS OF OUR LAND!
It's Thanksgiving season, and whatever LEFTOVERS you know--personally or in your church, can you pray for them today? THEN, let us all THANK the Lord for even the difficulties in our way; the relationships and circumstances that are hard, unkind, unfair--these are the things which make us strong, that can draw us TO Christ, not away from Him and His church. Let US choose to stand strong in the face of any adversity--and not be a LEFTOVER in God's Kingdom!
I'm off my soapbox--no, actually it's a few stacked boxes of canned mushroom soup, vegetables and noodles--for MY leftover dish--what else...grin! Now go make YOUR dinner casserole for tonight--hope it is tempting, tasty and terrific (see links below)--and have a great holiday weekend! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
Bible Gateway.com - Psalms 136:1-26 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving
Draw from the Well--a prayer for renewing strength for this day
"Lord, thank You for the hard stuff of life that drives me to my knees--and to You. May I NEVER be a "left over" in Your Kingdom, but one who will stand strong and grow strong in the face of difficulties. Thank You for Your grace bestowed on me--just when I need it--help me to appropriate it and NEVER walk away, In Your Name, Amen."
Your DAILY Assignments!
Read Words from the Well poem and let the Lord minister to you.
He will, I promise! He is a faithful God and will be faithful to you today!
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Copyright 2000 by Peggie Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.
Not to be copied without permission.
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Thanksgiving at Peggie's Place
Heal Our Land--A Call to Prayer
The Prayer Room at Peggie's Place!--please pray for the USA!
HOLIDAY FEATURE
A Top Ten Christmas at Peggie's Place!--Just around the corner!
With thanks to Songs of Praise for the beautiful music playing on this page. Visit Songs of Praise for other beautiful tunes by many talented artists (CDs are available).
