Lunches, Leftovers, and Not Feeding 5,000

 By: Lauren Thomas 

I’ve heard other moms who talk about not eating “real” lunch. They just eat what their kids don’t finish. The leftovers.

 

While this is not my particular struggle – (I value food too much for that!) – most moms do have a problem with “leftovers.” But it’s not what you think. We moms juggle so much! The kids, the house, the spouse, the schedules. The list continues. Somewhere in our lives – (whether you’re a mom or not) – someone or something is only getting the leftovers.

 

Yeah, I’m not talking about food, am I?

 

Being a parent means living life in the slow lane, at least temporarily (or so I’m told). And by slow lane, I mean there are a lot of limits on your life when you’re a mom (especially of young children). These limits are not bad. They are not indefinite. They will shift over time.

 

But for now? You probably can’t give everything 100% because you have too many things making demands of you and only fractions to give. Let’s start by accepting that.

 

There are limits to accept, but within those limits, here’s where you have some control: who gets your best and who gets the rest.

 

We’re talking about lunches, leftovers, and not feeding the 5,000. Because, in your strength, you cannot. You cannot take care of everyone and everything. (That’s more like Jesus’ job.) But, of the people given to your care, you have a lot to give. They deserve your best.

 

You probably already know that. You probably – or at least try to – live it.

 

But let’s get curious about those leftovers. Who gets them?

 

Leftovers are okay. And for some people, leftovers will be just fine. But aside from your family, there is one for whom leftovers are not okay. And that is God.

 

But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

2 Samuel 24:24 ESV (emphasis mine)

 

Being a mom, sometimes it feels easier than ever to justify cutting corners in a lifestyle of worship to God. But in truth, there are no excuses for giving God my leftovers. David recognized that true worship is costly. God doesn’t deserve my leftovers. He doesn’t deserve yours either.

 

Know your limits. Know your priorities. Give God what he deserves. He will handle the rest.

 

Reflection:

Who is getting your best? Who gets your leftovers?

Do you have an accurate understanding of your limits?

What is one step you could take toward re-prioritizing your efforts so that the right people and things get your best?