Somewhere along the line, we seem to have developed a nightly dinner tradition. When the boys come to the table, they either give a little cheer for what they see, or they voice their disapproval. Sometimes they are very politically correct about it. “Oh, thanks for making the chicken, but do you mind though if I have some carrots instead of the green beans.” Other times it’s downright rude and disrespectful, “Aww man, green beans. I hate green beans.” “Yuck, I’m not eating them.”
Although I love it when they voice their approval, it drives me crazy when they voice a dislike. Why? Because in addition to the rudeness and lack of respect, they haven’t even tried it. All they did was look at it and decide they weren’t going to like it. I’m not usually one of those sit at the table until you clear your plate moms. (Although, my youngest did fall asleep at the table one night that I decided to fight the green bean battle.) But, I do expect everyone to taste everything. I’ve often said, “Tonight might be the night you realize you like it.” I’ve also given many speeches about how eating is not always about the flavor. We eat because our bodies need nutrition. As I go on and on, I’m sure they hear, “Blah, blah, blah.”
Anyway, last night they cheered for the Biggest Loser Crispy Baked Chicken and corn on the cob. But Monday night, they weren’t too thrilled about the vegetarian chili. My oldest, though, did a good job of actually tasting it without complaint. (He’s usually the worst offender.) He didn’t necessarily like it, but he did eat some. Tonight I’m expecting some complaints about the green beans I’m serving with chicken and quinoa.
So why the talk about dinner on a post labeled “Wednesday’s Wisdom from the Word”? Well, I started in January with a plan to read the Bible chronologically in a year. It required a couple of chapters a day. I was doing really well. But early in the Bible, there’s some tough books to read, and I’ve read them before, and I really didn’t enjoy reading them, so I started skipping my reading. Recently it dawned on me that I was doing what my boys do at dinner. “Aww man, Leviticus, I don’t like Leviticus.” “I hate Numbers, I’m not reading that!”
But recently, I felt the stirring in my heart to get back to it. So I’ve been reading again. But since I’m so far behind, I’m using my “Read the Bible in 90 days” reading plan until I get back on track. That plan requires reading 10-20 chapters a day. Since I’m on March 8th on the chronological plan, I should be back on track in about 2 weeks.
So the other day I read the dreaded Leviticus. And you know what? I actually enjoyed it. Some verses stuck out to me that never did before, and I found myself journaling about them. The same thing is happening in Numbers. I feel like God might be wearing the same satisfied smirk that I wear when my boys actually taste dinner and realize that they like it.
Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is Good.” Well, God, I tasted Leviticus and Numbers again, and I’ve seen, once again, that you are Good.
The actual verse is not necessarily about reading Leviticus, but I’ve learned that one of the ways I can “taste” God is through His word. And usually the more that I read it, the more that I want to read it. And soon I find myself “Hunger(ing) and thirst(ing) after righteousness.” (Matthew 5:6) I begin to desire to do what is right, to spend more time talking to God, to praise God, to trust God in more areas, to be comforted by God in my circumstances. I find myself falling more and more in love with Him as I’m enveloped in His love and grace.
Psalm 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Have you tasted and seen that the Lord is good? Or are you like my boys, who have decided without tasting that you won’t like Him? Maybe today should be the day that you Taste…
And perhaps tonight will be the night that my boys realize they like green beans… (A mom can hope, right?)
♥Becki
