Leftovers

The meals associated with holiday celebrations traditionally have leftovers. Leftovers may consist of anything... turkey, ham, dressing, veggies or perhaps Aunt Bethany's cat food salad. Turkey carcasses yield the bits of turkey close to the bones. The unenviable task of separating edible meat from the bones usually falls to the cook. These deft fingers pull off small pieces of turkey that become the basis for soups, salads, and hashes cleverly disguised to hide the fact that they were presented as the main course of a feast that happened a day or so ago. Ham bones become seasoning for a plethora of similar dishes. The experienced cook finds a use for just about all of the meat. The veggies, breads, and "special recipes" that were presented with fanfare at the celebration meal become suitable side dishes for the rerun. There always seems to be an abundance of leftover desserts. We are a society addicted to sugar and holidays are a chance to feed the addiction. The most memorable part of a holiday meal is the desserts whose recipes have been passed from generation to generation.

In addition to the edible leftovers there are some unpalatable leftovers. A hurtful remark, a senseless argument or a verbal slap seem to find their way into our pile of leftovers. Certainly there are pleasant memories that bring laughter and stories of "funny" things that happened that produce guffaws and belly laughs. What we never know is when the laughter at someone's expense becomes ridicule or an affront. Issues of self-esteem may become tantamount to the laughter and inner feelings may be adversely affected. These become the unpalatable leftovers that we "burp" again and again. In solitude they may become our demons. We can take a slight to unfathomable depths, they become so pronounced that they affect us for months, perhaps years. A precursory look at a smiling face may never uncover the scars of past remarks. An uncomfortable chuckle may be eclipsed by the raucous howls of the group. These leftovers have long ago become tasteless and unappealing.

Lord, how can we deal with these unpalatable leftovers? How can we lessen the sting of thoughtless remarks? How do we cope when memories become unbearable? Jesus, In Matthew 44, says, "but what I tell you is this, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, only so you can be children of your Heavenly Father, who causes rain on the innocent and the wicked".
Have a forgiving heart. Love one another. Love God. Be grateful.