Tasty Faith
 
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in
Him!”–Psalm 34:8 (NKJ)
 
Once again we were at a stalemate.“I don’t like it, it doesn’t taste
good!” Encouragement, anger, modeling, discipline, even
downright manipulation. Nothing would do the trick. My
oldest son was not going to eat his cranberry sauce! If I had taken
a picture, I could show you a rigid case of lock jaw.“Should I get
more drastic?Maybe if he sits there all night.Or goes hungry all
day,” I mused. Nope…it wasn’t going to happen!
 
I had almost given up hope, when one day Lance finally gave in
and ate some cranberry sauce. My wife and I held our breath.
When he asked meekly for seconds, there was a spontaneous
eruption of celebration around our dinner table. What was
tantamount to torture for him instantly became a source of
delight. My kids still laugh when we talk about the red
“Thanksgiving Turkey Sauce.”
 
What happened? First, Lance made a decision—however
reluctantly—to open his mouth and taste it. Despite his doubts
and fears, he moved toward something that he was told was
good and good for him.
 
Second, my wife’s patience had eventually won out. She had
steadily encouraged Lance to eat foods that he initially balked
at but ended up enjoying. Lance learned to trust her word—her
warm invitation—and he was “blessed” in the process.
 
I wonder if we’re, by faith, experiencing as much of God’s
goodness as we could be. Faithlessness says to God, “Who you
are and what you want is not what I want.My lips are sealed. I
won’t even try.” A fledgling faith says, “Lord, you promise to
bless those who trust you. I will taste (move towards) you to
experience your goodness, even though I have reservations.”An
experienced faith says, “God, I know you are good, even though
the smell, feel, and unfamiliarity of this situation makes me
recoil. I have tasted of your goodness and been blessed by
trusting you before. Let’s eat!” Even when everything looks bad,
God is good. You can trust Him.
 
And be certain of this: you’ll be nourished and satisfied when
“you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Pet 2:3).
 
For Discussion:What are some ways you have tasted God’s goodness when
you trusted Him? If you can’t think of any, are you ready to “open up?”
 
FamilyActivity: Sing the song“Lord, you are good and yourmercy endured
forever….” Then enjoy a sweet treat as you reflect on the ways God has
been good to your family. (Cranberry Sauce is optional!)