Mom Heart Moments #68

Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

THIS COMMAND IS NOT ONLY METAPHORICAL. I believe that God intended us to experience the full range of beauty in the world as a testament to His generous love for us. To neglect delight, feasting, and celebration is to neglect worshiping God in the way He intended us to. Our family’s Sunday breakfasts also helped establish a positive attitude toward church.

Sometimes, in our weary and broken world, celebration almost seems wrong. When we look at our news feeds and TV screens, we see a profoundly fractured world. And even in our own homes and hearts, there are wounds, losses, and difficulties. Can celebration, feasting, and joy possibly be an appropriate response?

Yes!

Jesus was born into a world just as broken as our own, and the definitive first miracle of His ministry was to add His personal touch to a profoundly important celebration —a wedding feast.

Later, even when faced with crucifixion, Jesus gave His disciples reason to celebrate: “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:3, NLT). The Gospels are focused toward a good ending —another wedding feast and a home to belong in. In celebration, we declare that God is not done with us yet. Ultimately, evil does not have the final word. We celebrate in thanksgiving for what God has done, and we celebrate in expectation of His final victory.

I have always loved that one of Jesus’ last actions on earth was to make breakfast for His friends. “‘Now come and have some breakfast!’ Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish” (John 21:12-13, NLT).

Why do you think Jesus served His disciples a meal on the beach that morning? How could you —and your children —literally taste and see that the Lord is good?