Taste & See!

'Taste and see that the Lord is good..'  Psalm 34:8  This verse shadowed me throughout the entire week; popping into my head at any given moment, showing up in my devotion or 'just happening' to be on the page my Bible fell open to.  But what exactly do these words mean?!  Taste and sight are proof of something tangible, yet God is invisible.  To taste and see something is to experience it.  But how do I experience the goodness of the Lord?  Well, the verse doesn't say 'Sit back, relax and know that the Lord is good..' it uses action words.  Taste!  See!  I can listen to hundreds of stories about the vibrant beauty of the ocean but it won't become reality until I see it with my own eyes and experience it.  In the same way, it doesn't matter how many pictures I see of delicious, juicy mangos- I won't know how they taste until I actually sink my teeth into one.  The psalmist urges us to take these same actions when it comes to knowing the goodness of God.  We need to take a bite, we need to open our eyes!

[amazing morning at the beach]

As I went through the week it was my goal to truly open myself up to experiencing God's goodness; becoming more aware.  And, although I'm just at the tip of the iceberg, I'm realizing how much I take Him for granted.  I asked God to open my eyes to 'see' His goodness in my life and I was continually being humbled by a new understanding of how BLESSED I am.  He is always with me, always working on my behalf and orchestrating the most minute details of my life.  He's molding me, placing me into situations that will allow me to grow.  He's blessing my socks right off!!  Yet, I fail to realize that all these things are HIM!  This week I sunk my teeth into the depth of His Word, into an appreciation of all He's doing in my life (and also into several juicy mangos :) and I recognized the taste for what it truly is: the goodness of God!

--gorgeous hibiscus--

We don't have a porch at the apartment but I set up my beach chair at the top of the steps and spent several evenings out there.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in things I need to do, places I need to go or even a favorite TV show I want to watch.  But taking time to sit in His presence made a significant difference in my days.  I listened as the birds sang their last songs and I watched the night chase away all the colors on the horizon.  I had a front row seat to the gorgeous double rainbow that came out after a rain storm.  A few verses before the one that followed me through the week is another verse that says 'the earth is full of His unfailing love.' Psalm 33:5  I realized this in a new way this week.  I 'saw' that unfailing love in encouragement from a friend.  I 'tasted' His goodness in moments of uncontrollable laughter with Derek or the realization that God had provided for our needs yet again.  He is truly everywhere, but it's up to us to grasp that!

Week 38 has come and (almost) gone without any new developments.  Everyone is sharing their tried and true methods for going into labor but I'm convinced that this little man is on his very own time table and I will not be resorting to castor oil, thank you very much :)  He'll come when he wants and until then I just continue to live as 'normal' as possible.  Although I still have the occasional, slightly irrational urge to clean any and every surface within reach, the nesting instinct showed itself more this week through my need to BAKE.  Cookies, bran muffins, home made lasagna for the freezer; you get the picture.  We are stocked up and ready for this baby to come!  Derek was slightly offended that I seemed to think he would be incapable of preparing even one meal on his own, but I think he's secretly glad to have some easy options in the freezer.  And, speaking of 'tasting', I KNOW he doesn't mind the pies!  

So, we're jumping into a new week and I know God has an abundance of goodness for Derek and I to taste and see!  That may or may not include the birth of our son.. you'll have to check back next week to find out :)