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“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 15:5-6 (NIV)

It was just leftovers, hidden away in the back of my fridge—a delicious meal that once satisfied my hunger and delighted my taste buds. Somehow, I overlooked my favorite food, tucked into a doggie bag, choosing instead to eat something else, completely forgetting what was waiting for me. Sadly, when leftovers are ignored, they eventually spoil and are thrown away.

Absolutely not the case in life when the leftovers from a messy, hard season offer us more redemption than we ever imagined. The beauty birthed in the aftermath of a hard journey unveils a smorgasbord of lessons learned definitely worthy of keeping and sharing. Nothing God orchestrates in our lives is ever wasted.

Releasing to others the leftovers of our hard fought journey redeems what seemed stolen from us. Precious time eaten up with challenges, sidelining us and halting us to our knees. Suffering laced with unspoken questions and doubts. Faith stretching us beyond what we ever thought possible (Hebrews 4:16). Surviving yet thriving all because we never let go of our God who was ever present, ever listening, ever intervening on our behalf (Psalm 112:7).

Our stories may seem insignificant to us, but to the one trying desperately to hold on – they are priceless. Like a crucial survival kit, the hard journeys we have traveled unveil pivotal lessons learned. Life giving eternal perspectives we never considered. Deep truths from God’s word we unearthed in the darkest of nights. All entrusted to us – our story –  with a divine purpose to encourage, inspire and strengthen us and others (I Peter 5:10). Nothing is ever wasted.

Sweet friends are there leftovers from your journey which you are ignoring? Is it more tempting to throw them out than be vulnerable and real? Have to admit it is so much easier to glean the treasures of hard, messy seasons than open up about our struggles along the way.  Ever so tempting to push the past away, forgetting what was behind us and enjoy the ease of now than reflect on how God worked in our lives. Yet all our stories, our good and hard journeys are incredible opportunities not to be wasted. Our testimonies when shared with others outlive us and continue to glorify God.

Trials and suffering are commonplace in our broken world (John 16:33). Yet, one day we will leave this world for our eternal home – never more to experience pain, sorrow or tears. We will see our sweet Lord face to face and nothing else will carry weight in that moment. It’s the blessed hope of God’s promises which propels us on regardless of our story. Until that day may He find us faithfully continuing to steward the stories He has entrusted to us.

“Father, nothing in our lives is ever wasted when we release it into Your hands and trust You for opportunities to share our journey with others. Help us to be bold and courageous in maximizing Your work in us versus maximizing the challenges we face.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life