Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord

One of the best pieces of advice someone gave to me when my children were little is to remember that “It came to pass…It didn’t come to stay.” It was a great reminder that my children were not always going to be little and the annoying, frustrating, exasperating things they were doing at that time would soon be in the past, along with all the wonderful, sweet, endearing things they were doing then too. Time goes way too fast!

As I think about the Prodigal Son, I wonder what was happening, or not happening in his life that made life with his Father and brother seem so unbearable that he wanted so desperately to leave? When the realities of life finally caught up with him, he recognized how good he really had it. I’m not sure the older brother ever did.

I get it, we all go through times when life feels too difficult or boring. Things just keep piling up, pulling us down…the fear of the unknown, our health, our relationships, the responsibilities, the decisions that must be made that affect the rest of our lives, as well as the lives of those we love. It’s so tempting to run away, to escape to our favorite addiction, our phone, food, drink, whatever brings us comfort.

Don’t give up, sell out and run away. “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” Gather a bouquet of the ways that God has been faithful and blessed you throughout each day. Begin a gratefulness journal, a place where you can recall all the ways that God has been with you and loves you, a reminder of the good, a reminder that God is here and has a hand in all that is happening and trust that He will use it all for good. Remember to stop and take in and savor those times—savor the warm cup of tea, the newly blooming flower, the smile of a child, the peace of a quiet moment, that moment when you felt closest to God. 

Often, the thing that I am most grateful for is the way that God used me to bless someone else and how that made me feel. If only we can be grateful for the good of what is now, even during our pain and struggle, then God can open our eyes and hearts and draw us into the hope and joy that He longs for us to know. Rest in His loving presence, my friends, “taste and see the goodness of the Lord”.

In it with you,

Jane