“Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”  – John 6:12

 

I admit, I am kind of funny about throwing away leftovers.

My fridge is full of tidbits of meat, veggies wrapped in foil, jars of broth—all sorts of ingredients that could easily be tossed away. Instead, I treasure those little pieces as opportunities for later meals.

Take, for example, a pot roast. Goodness knows I love a good pot roast! If you let it sit in the fridge a few days, it tastes even better the second time around. But even if you don’t feel like pot roast again, that tender meat can be shredded and spiced up for tacos or taquitos. Remaining chopped onions, tomatoes and peppers can always be sautéed into an omelet next morning. Everything has potential and use!

 

Jesus loved leftovers.

Remember the story of how He fed 5,000 hungry people? The crowd followed Jesus out of town to listen to Him teach and watch Him heal. It was getting late and everyone was hungry, so Jesus asked Philip where they could buy lunch for everyone. For the disciples, it was an impossible ask—but Jesus took what they brought to Him, five loaves of bread and two fish—and made a meal to feed them all.

End of story? Not at all! Jesus had one more lesson to teach. “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted” (John 6:12b NIV).

Jesus fed the people until they were full.  Then He had the disciples go around again. He wanted every last broken piece and crumb collected.

 

God loves leftovers.

Leftover people, leftover resources, leftover time. God loves forgotten sheep, lost coins, wayward children. No scrap or detail is insignificant to Him. He goes after them like Agatha Christie after a clue!

Maybe you’re a mama pouring all your time and energy into family and by end of the day you’re feeling drained and completely spent.

You may be in an unexpected season that’s left you feeling torn apart, wondering how to pick up the pieces.

For some reading this, you’re exhausted from chasing temporary things, sidetracked and stuck in sin, and you feel unworthy to approach the Lord.

 

Bring Him the crumbs.

Friend, whatever season or situation is causing you to feel like the only thing you can offer is leftovers, mere crumbs of yourself that seem insignificant, let me remind you it matters to God—you matter to God.

The Lord loves your leftovers. Nothing is too small. Nothing is insignificant. Nothing is left unused in the Lord’s hands.

Offer Him all you are and see what He does.