Leftover

They came over for a short while and I love it whenever they show up at my door. Two of my grandsons... Blake, almost 5 and Sam almost 1....and mom.
They played as they may and checked out the Christmas decorations around the house....Sam, now able to stand crawled himself right up to the coffee table in the den where I had positioned a large wooden decorative box...with the word "simplify" painted on it ...that was filled with brightly colored plastic shiny ornaments....just for kids! He started at one end of the table, pausing each step, in hopeful attempt to get at the ornaments then looking up knowing he was being watched to see if he was going to be reprimanded...no rebuttal so far ... so he continued to proceed to the box with caution yet with great focus and anticipation. It would happen just as planned....he took every single one of them out, tossed them on the floor in delight and with a great sense of accomplishment ....and then moved on. Blake had found a Santa that was filled with 5 smaller nesting Santas...one within the other....and was quietly working to unnest them to see what was inside....and then as I glanced over again, he had completed his first task and was on to the second... trying to put them back in their spots.

They stayed for only a short time and I loved every minute of being them them. And they went about their chores and as I was rounding the corner back into the den....I saw the ornaments sprawled along the carpeted floor...and picked each one up with a smile of total contentment now on my face. It was a reminder of where my little Sam had been....and the joy that was on his face when first saw the shiny interests. And as I was leaving I caught a glimpse of the Santas, all opened and lined up under the chest. I am not sure if Blake has a hard time putting them all back together or if he was just thinking he was hiding them from brother Sam who seems to now be in all of His stuff! But I carefully nested them back in their places, putting Santa back in his place, thinking this is what touched his little bit of curiosity today...when they are gone they always leave a little trail...which I dearly love... A note here...the girls are good at picking up....after the kids...and the kids themselves are good as well...but I do love those little leftover reminders.

The whole point of this story is what do you leave behind when you have visited someone? Were joy or comfort or gladness components that lingered by something you said or did ....or? Or what? Or were there words of distrust or envy or frustration or impatience? No matter who it is we meet with or where, be it a clerk, an employee, a friend or a stranger...a family member etc...we have the change to leave behind something that is of worth...and that is a lingering thought of love or appreciation or kindness. You now what I am talking about...there are times when you have been around someone who has blessed your life just by interacting with you in a special way. They have shown an interest, they have cared, they have helped in some way or another...and sometimes it is just having them around that adds a touch of joy to your day. We recognize that quality in others but the question lies in are we striving to have that impact on others as well.

We have the potential each day to make a joyful difference in the life of each person we meet. Nothing big...just a simple word of recognition, or appreciation..a hug, a gentle response, a comforting thought. It doesn't take but a minute to let God use our words or our hands for his encouragement and his help.

Things are pretty busy about now....and we tend to get consumed in our own chores and errands but it doesn't take much to slow down just a bit and and consider others....in what we say, how we act, what we do. And leave behind a remnant of joy...especially during this season of Christmas.

There are leftovers in the fridge that often have little appeal...but leftover remnants of joy and the blessing of just caring for or about someone else touches hearts and warms souls......and that is a lingering touch of God himself. Make an effort to be conscious of what you leave behind in conversation...let something that you say be a lingering reminder that life is not just about errands and chores and responsibilities but it is about relationships and people...that is why Christ has put us here. Leave behind a reminder of who Christ is and why we celebrate this special season...leave behind a remnant that can spark a curiosity about a relationship with Christ himself. We are here to love others and to serve them....if someone sees that in you they may pick it up and be that for someone else.
Romans 11:5-6 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

I can't help but reflect on the precious remnant of love and forgiveness and grace that Christ has left behind for us!

Dear Lord, I thank you for the leftovers....for precious visits with friends, for reminders that you leave constantly in my path showing me that you are forever present no matter when my steps lead. Help me to leave behind reminders and remnants that reflect my relationship with you! Amen
Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in ...for His glory will shine through!