Food Glorious Food

I may have mentioned a time or two that I have a special relationship with food. It’s true. Now I fully appreciate that I am not the only one who has this relationship. The sights. The smells. But ooh the tastes. The subtle hint of cinnamon or basil just brings a smile to my face.

I can bring to memory the smell of my Grandmother’s freshly baked rolls. Especially on Thanksgiving. But that is another tale. Back to this one. My maternal grandmother whose parents were from Sicily could bake bread like nobody’s business. I would get up on Saturday very early to watch cartoons between 5:30 and 6 am. My Nana would be up around 6:30. She would have her coffee and then she would begin. “Jr, come and help me.” And so I would get out her supplies. Flour, yeast, warm water, the kneading bowl, the towels for rising and she would go to work. Never using a measuring cup. Just using the cupping of her hands. When I was a little older she had me knead the bread when her arthritis was too painful. And she would make special S shaped rolls for me. They were divine. Soft and airy. Melt in your mouth goodness. The absolutely perfect bun for any sandwich or Italian toast. My mouth is watering even now.

Yup. Me and food have a special relationship. But beloved Psalm 34:8 has a little bit more to it than my Nana’s buns. Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Now, the taste part I think we can easily grasp what God is calling us to. MMMM taste the mouth watering goodness of Almighty God. God is good and far “gooder” than anything this world can bring to our palettes. It’s that second half of the verse that brings it home.

Take refuge in Him. Refuge, protection, sanctuary, shelter, a high tower, safety, a place of healing and renewal all comprise the range of meaning this word has. There are more but this is enough to go with at the moment. They all shout in the middle of all of our circumstances, (see the title for David’s circumstance), what a good God tastes like as your refuge…my refuge…our refuge.