Can I Taste and See That Life Is Good?

by Janet Stobie

January eighteenth, our granddaughter, Ellie, celebrated her twelfth birthday. When she arrived after school, her birthday cake lay naked on the counter, still too hot to decorate. The thought never crossed her mind that a loving grandma would have had a finished masterpiece ready to impress her. Instead, she said, “Oh, good. Can I decorate it?” We both laughed as we stuck it into the freezer to cool. A half hour later, she was slathering that cake with pudding icing she had prepared, stopping occasionally to lick icing from her fingers. She buried brownies into the deep ridge of pudding she had built on the top, and drizzled caramel sauce over it all. Then came the whipped cream roses. After supper, she proudly presented her masterpiece.

Today, I’m aware that God hopes we approach life with the same creativity and joy Ellie did with her cake. God gives us life and provides the resources we need. Just as I hovered close to Ellie, God hovers within us, offering suggestions and help when needed, cheering as we create the masterpiece which is our lives. Of course, there are times when the brownies fall over. Every whipped cream flower isn’t perfect. God is patient and loving, for God knows the delight we experience and the learning we receive through the process.

Even when you are angry with your own or someone else’s mistakes, or overwhelmed with the pain of illness and grief, with God you are creating a masterpiece, your unique and beautiful life. Seek out the joy in the journey. Stop and lick your fingers. Taste a moment of goodness.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 37:8)