LEFTOVER MEATLOAF

“The battle belongs to the LORD,” I said to my wife as she dashed off to work. Turning around just before she opened her car door, Nancy said: “But we have leftover meatloaf.”

I knew what she meant-- “Invite Ted to diner.” He was going through the meat grinder of life-- outright sin, striving to live up to people’s expectations, and life zapping pride.

He would be the first to admit his sinful activities. Now repentant, he still had to deal with: “A person reaps what they sow.” Sin—big, little, yours, mine or his; there is still a cleanup operation after we get right with God.

Ted was putting the battle into the accepting hands of God. Besides that Nancy was tossing her homemade meatloaf on the table as a formidable weapon. No she wasn’t going to smack anyone on the head.

The Bible says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands in not quickly broken.”

When we gathered around leftover meatloaf plus some other tasty dishes that evening Ted looked broken—body, soul, and spirit. We started slicing the meatloaf, we looked into God’s word, we prayed, we talked, we dreamed about what God had for Ted’s future. Our faith rose, then soared. As the meatloaf disappeared; Ted, Nancy, and I became a God-believing, resilient cord of three strands.

We didn’t ask, “Does the battle belong to the LORD?” that night. But if we had questioned this close circle of friends, all would have nodded: “Absolutely, yes.” And if we would have asked, “Is it better to go through battles with friends?” our “absolutely” would have been more absolute and our “yes” would have been more resounding.

How about you? Do you know any battle weary soul who might need some meatloaf tonight?