Nothing Wasted

 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

— John 6:12

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

I am really thankful you said these words. If God is a God who doesn't waste things, then I can be confident He doesn't waste my pain. He doesn't waste my moments of failure. He doesn't waste my heartbreak. He doesn't waste my tears. "Let nothing be wasted" means that God doesn't disregard me and won't waste my life.

Gather the pieces that are left over. On days when I feel like there are a lot of broken pieces of me, I am deeply comforted to know that God doesn't sweep away my broken pieces into the trash can and move on. Jesus, you said "Gather the pieces that left over." Would you gather me up into Your hands today? Would you take the broken pieces of me and hold them carefully in Your hands and remind me they aren't going to be left on the ground?

Let nothing be wasted. Leftover pieces don't go to waste. Lord, use my pain today to draw me closer to You. Use my failure today to create greater humility in me. Use my heartbreak to produce deeper compassion for others. Use my tears to form increased gentleness in me.

Gracious Lord Jesus, thank you for not wasting a thing when it comes to my life. I trust all the broken pieces to Your hands and know with confidence that they will not be wasted.

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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