At playgroup this week we did some ‘taste testing’ experiments, helping the children use a juicer to try lemon and orange juice, and mixing milk with different fruits. When the children tried the lemon juice there was a range of reactions. Some did not blink and drank it all. However, one two-year-old child’s face twisted in disgust as the sourness hit his palette. He seemed upset that we had convinced him to try this drink. He refused to try any other flavour drinks at first, wanting to avoid any further unpleasant tastes. Finally, we convinced him to try a strawberry smoothie with a little bit of chocolate syrup. The sour experience was quickly forgotten as he relished a much sweeter option.

Our taste test experiment reminded me of Psalm 34:8 –

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Life can present us with ‘sour’ moments – loss, anxiety, uncertainty, suffering – and it can make us want to retreat to protect ourselves from further hardship. But, in fact, our refuge is found in God’s loving presence

. It is found in the everyday blessings of God’s goodness and mercy expressed in the beauty of creation, in the kind gesture of a friend or stranger, in the tangible support of family and in the prayers and encouragement of our church family standing alongside us.

As a community of believers, we are called to share this sweetness with others. By extending kindness, showing compassion, and being a source of encouragement, we mirror God’s goodness to those around us. In doing so, we invite others to taste and see for themselves the richness of life in Christ.

Blessings,

Sarah

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash