MARCH 2017
By Christie Bourg
Giving God Our Leftovers
John and Joan Martin ( fictitious couple ), loved their daughter Sandy very much . They worked extra jobs to earn money for her to go to dancing school , play softball , and learn piano . Sandy went to Catholic schools all her life , including college . Her parents bought her a car and gave her and her husband a big down payment for a house . John and Joan took good care of Sandy . They gave her everything she could possibly need and more .
Soon after the wedding , John and Joan received an invitation to attend Thanksgiving dinner from Sandy and her new husband , and they were thrilled . John thought that since the newly-married couple might be struggling to get on their feet , they could use help with buying groceries for Thanksgiving , so he gave them $ 300 . And Joan was not about to go to a dinner without bringing a dish or two , so she spent $ 150 on ingredients and spent 3 days cooking 5 different dishes . The Martins were so excited to be able to share such a special occasion with their newly-married daughter and her husband ’ s family .
Thanksgiving morning John and Joan packed up the car with all the delicious homecooked dishes for their dinner , and of course , they brought along extra storage containers to be sure Sandy could properly store any leftovers ! They arrived at Sandy ’ s home with smiles from ear to ear , and joy in their hearts .
But something strange happened . When they rang the doorbell , Sandy accepted their food , but asked them to wait outside . Joan and John were puzzled . One after the other , family members arrived ( empty-handed at that ), and were warmly greeted and whisked inside . But Joan and John were never asked to join them inside . They tried to wait outside patiently , but it was becoming more and more difficult as they listened to the laughter and joy coming from the other family members as they enjoyed a delicious meal together .
After about an hour , Joan and John were finally invited inside Sandy ’ s home . Everyone seemed to have had their fill of food and drink , and were lazing about . Some were even napping . Dirty dishes and glasses remained on the dining room table , evidence of a feast . A few bowls and pans held small amounts of food caught in bottom corners , or even baked on to the sides .
Joan and John were starving , yet there was very little left for them to eat . Not only that , other family members were so full , no one had any energy to have a conversation . This was not what Joan and John had in mind for Thanksgiving dinner . After everything they had given Sandy , everything they had done for her , sacrificed for her benefit , they were pushed to the very bottom of her list of priorities . They were so disappointed .
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