I was raised by parents who came through the Great Depression of the 1930’s. One thing everyone who passed through that era learned was how to “make do” with what was at hand. Literally nothing was ever wasted, but rather saved because it might come in handy sometime down the road. And there was nothing this philosophy did not touch.

The principle of not wasting things was just as true for food as it was for other material goods. There was no such thing as a finicky eater in those days—one ate what was put before him or her, and everyone cleaned their plates. How often I heard of those who were among the starving people in other parts of the world.

One of those lessons which had to be overcome as I found myself walking the life of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was that I could rely upon him to meet my needs. We read in Psalm 34.8-9: ‘Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.’ I no longer was responsible to see that my future well-being was assured—I could trust God instead.

That does not mean that I could be irresponsible in my care of what was placed in my hands, however. I just had to know and live the truth that I did not have to do it all on my own—I could let God be God. The psalmist continues: ‘Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.’ I decided to take everything God wanted to give me, and to faithfully use and enjoy it—TO EAT IT ALL UP IS A GOOD THING IN GOD!