Can you smell it? The scent of cinnamon and other spices permeate the air in homes across the globe at this time of year as special treats are made in preparation for the celebration shortly to come. Many of these tantalizing goodies are only made during the Christmas season and are looked forward to all year long. For some people, Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas until the baker in the house rolls up his or her sleeves and takes the carefully shopped for (and guarded) ingredients out of the cupboard and begins the measuring, mixing, and baking process involved in creating these traditional family delicacies. The luscious aroma of your favorite cookie, roll, pie or cake being baked, as well as the anticipation of that first bite, is enough to make you feel like a kid all over again.
As a youngster, I can remember watching as my mother performed the holiday baking ritual in our household. I was fascinated by how she could pull
several ingredients out of the cupboard (in what I thought at the time was a
random fashion) and then mix them together in such a seemingly effortless way so
that the end product was a picture-perfect and delicious tasting cookie or other
treat. It was during one of these baking sessions that my mother taught me a valuable lesson.
I had wandered into the kitchen when I heard the sound of the hand mixer being used as the sound of it was a near-guarantee that something extra special was being prepared. As I peeked over the edge of the large mixing bowl, my eyes grew wide as
I saw what appeared to be mounds and peaks of delicious whiteness. My mouth watered as I believed that I was seeing cream cheese frosting! Yum!
When she turned off the mixer, I asked her if I could taste it. She consented and, before she could change her mind, I immediately scooped up a mound of the fluffy whiteness with my finger and popped it into my mouth fully expecting the sweet, creamy goodness of frosting. The pleasure I had hoped to enjoy came unexpectedly to an abrupt end as I quickly spit out the mouthful of shortening I had eagerly asked to sample just seconds before.
Mom, in her wisdom, allowed me the freedom to experience the consequence of my request. She knew that eating vegetable shortening wasn’t something that I would
enjoy, yet she also knew that I needed to discover for myself that what looked good wasn’t and that it was highly likely that I would willingly – forcefully - reject it and would not want to sample it again. She was right. I never again tasted something without first asking what it was.
Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
One of the definitions for the word taste is ‘experience.’ Our Heavenly Father has invited us to experience Him for ourselves so that we can see that He is good.
What are some of the ways He shows His goodness to us?
He is always with us. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never
leave you nor forsake you.”
He always hears us when we cry out to Him. Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.”
He offers guidance to us. Isaiah 30:21 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.””
He provides for all our needs. Philippians 4:19 “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
He gives healing to us. Exodus 15:26 “I am the Lord, who heals you.”
And He promises everlasting life to anyone who asks. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This Christmas season as you pick and choose which special goodies you will sample, take the time also to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” When you experience God, you will not be disappointed. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How
You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
As a youngster, I can remember watching as my mother performed the holiday baking ritual in our household. I was fascinated by how she could pull
several ingredients out of the cupboard (in what I thought at the time was a
random fashion) and then mix them together in such a seemingly effortless way so
that the end product was a picture-perfect and delicious tasting cookie or other
treat. It was during one of these baking sessions that my mother taught me a valuable lesson.
I had wandered into the kitchen when I heard the sound of the hand mixer being used as the sound of it was a near-guarantee that something extra special was being prepared. As I peeked over the edge of the large mixing bowl, my eyes grew wide as
I saw what appeared to be mounds and peaks of delicious whiteness. My mouth watered as I believed that I was seeing cream cheese frosting! Yum!
When she turned off the mixer, I asked her if I could taste it. She consented and, before she could change her mind, I immediately scooped up a mound of the fluffy whiteness with my finger and popped it into my mouth fully expecting the sweet, creamy goodness of frosting. The pleasure I had hoped to enjoy came unexpectedly to an abrupt end as I quickly spit out the mouthful of shortening I had eagerly asked to sample just seconds before.
Mom, in her wisdom, allowed me the freedom to experience the consequence of my request. She knew that eating vegetable shortening wasn’t something that I would
enjoy, yet she also knew that I needed to discover for myself that what looked good wasn’t and that it was highly likely that I would willingly – forcefully - reject it and would not want to sample it again. She was right. I never again tasted something without first asking what it was.
Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
One of the definitions for the word taste is ‘experience.’ Our Heavenly Father has invited us to experience Him for ourselves so that we can see that He is good.
What are some of the ways He shows His goodness to us?
He is always with us. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never
leave you nor forsake you.”
He always hears us when we cry out to Him. Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.”
He offers guidance to us. Isaiah 30:21 “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.””
He provides for all our needs. Philippians 4:19 “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
He gives healing to us. Exodus 15:26 “I am the Lord, who heals you.”
And He promises everlasting life to anyone who asks. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This Christmas season as you pick and choose which special goodies you will sample, take the time also to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” When you experience God, you will not be disappointed. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How
You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
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