Taste and see
It has been years since I’ve grown these funny little fruits in my garden. Oh, a few may have come up by accident, but not nearly enough to put in a pie or to make scones.
“Physalis Peruviana” is a small yellow fruit that hides inside a loose, papery husk while it matures. It was popular in Germany and imported there from Argentina. My mother got some plants from a friend and was the best pie-baker ever known, and would delight our family with delectable pies made from what we called “pie tomatoes.” I imagine that odd moniker came translated from German.
Although it has been a long time since I was able to make one myself, and sixty years since my mother has passed, the photo alone brings back strong memories of the aroma and taste.
What memories do you have of tastes and smells from long ago? Not all of mine were good. I still cannot stand lentil soup. My stepmother would make it in a pot big enough for 8 children, which would inevitably result in scorched soup. It then was put in the garage to keep cool for leftovers, and I’m afraid it was not up to food safety standards – it went sour. Yes, I can still remember that, too.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!O fear the Lord, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want.The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing” (Psalm 34:8-10, NASB).
Yes, I was sometimes hungry as a child; maybe even a little emaciated. Beware of reading this verse as completely literal. While the Lord DOES give us our daily bread, it may be moldy, or dry, or not quite enough. But He does give, and for that we praise and bless Him.
The emphasis, however, is on the other kind of “good thing.” The kindness and compassion of God, His sacrifice of His son for our sins, the joy of family and of spiritual family, the wonder of His creation all around us…. These are just the beginnings of the “good things” of which we shall never be in want. And we all know that our “wants” are not what is meant by the word “want” here. I may have wanted lobster for dinner but got stewed kale instead, but it was still nourishing and I had most of my physical needs met.
Are Christians ever truly in need, though? Sad to say, yes. It is up to us as church family to take care of those needs. In an ideal church environment, nobody will be “in want of any good thing.”
And we can taste it! When the church and individuals do what they should, we can truly “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” The flavor is indescribably delicious! It seems as if the clouds part, the sun shines through, the birds sing, and all is right with the world. (It never is, of course, but that’s the “flavor” you taste when you try).
Not everything is right in your world, you say? Oh, then you’ll have to do like I did with this pie. Remember. Now can you taste it? Yes! The goodness of the Lord is there. Even if sour, scorched lentil soup is in the bowl in front of you.
Oh, and there’s always dessert for those who fear the Lord. A big slice of heaven pie. Eat your soup.
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