On a sun-warmed Sunday afternoon, our girl and I stand in line behind ten people at a local gelato shop. It smells like hints of espresso, vanilla, and other delectable scents.

We ask for a sample of a new flavor: Passionfruit-strawberry-lemon sorbet. It has a refreshing tang so we order it along with mint chocolate chip gelato.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons Flickr user Dawn Huczek

There is anticipation as we wait for the teenager, behind the counter, to scoop the sorbet and gelato. I pay, and finally we stroll outside, sit, and eye peachy-yellow sorbet and pistachio-green gelato with brown flecks.

Did you know we eat with our eyes before we taste it?

I enjoy cold, tangy, minty and chocolate chip flavors melting in my mouth.

As the cold slightly tart sorbet touches my tongue, then slides down my throat, I give thanks. What a gift to be able to taste so many different flavors.

It made me think of what I read this morning at my kitchen table:

O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! - Psalm 34:8 NASB

I was thinking of how I can't taste the goodness of the sorbet unless I open my mouth, and receive it. And before I do, I see it.

Likewise, I taste and see that the LORD is good, when I open my heart, mind, spirit, and soul to Him.

I see Him with the eyes of faith. And by grace, I receive Him.

Tasting the goodness of God is not merely a mental exercise.

Thinking about sorbet, without actually placing it in my tongue, will not result in tasting it.

I experience the Lord's goodness when I believe He died and rose again, so I could have a relationship with Him. I experience His love, which is not based on my goodness (Romans 5:8).

Every time I willingly open myself to more of the Lord in my life, I have an opportunity to taste/experience His goodness.

And I say "Yes" to tasting His undeserved forgiveness. His forgiveness rooted in His goodness and undeserved favor, and not on my goodness. Thankfully.

The Lord's goodness is not based on my external circumstances, which change from day to day.

His goodness is His character. Just like my sorbet is sorbet.

God is good, and He cannot be other than good, even if I deem what He allows in my life as not good.

Psalm 34:8 tells me one way I can experience the Lord's goodness is by taking refuge in Him.

When we are stressed, do we find refuge in food, entertainment, or talking to a friend? None of those things are necessarily bad, but if they keep us from going to God, then they are not good.

From past experience, I am learning God is the only true refuge. He is the only one who is never too busy for me.

He is the only One who is not burdened or overwhelmed by anything, so whatever I share with Him, He can handle.

And when I share honestly with Him what is troubling me, I taste the goodness of His presence. I open myself to receive Him, goodness personified.

He is the warm blanket of love around me when I feel the cold of rejection.

I experience the goodness of His peace in exchange for my worries.

He is the sweet in the midst of my bittersweet.

When I focus on His promises to never ever leave me or forsake me (Heb. 13:5), I taste the goodness of His faithful presence.

He is my firm anchor keeping my boat afloat in the raging storm.

My past favorable experiences with the gelato shop have made me a repeat customer. Likewise, the more I experience the Lord's goodness, the more I want to make Him my refuge.

He is the healing balm to my wounded soul.

To be honest, sometimes I don't immediately sense His presence or comfort.

But He has been faithful to me for several decades so I can trust enough to keep clinging to Him. I can trust I will eventually taste and see His goodness.

So I give thanks for what He will do in His good time because He is good. He promised me an eternity to reveal His goodness.

And I am grateful for the glimpses and little tastes He has already given me.

Have you taken the risk of tasting and seeing the Lord is good by taking refuge in Him?

How have you tasted and seen the Lord's goodness in your life?

Thank you for being here. I don't take your presence or your words for granted.

A God-sighting here: Just read this excellent post on Psalm 34:8, The Socially Acceptable Sin, via a link on Ann's blog.

Linking with wise Ann

And sweet and gifted friend Laura Boggess, 

Linking with encouraging and talented friend Jennifer Dukes Lee,

and the amazing Jen 

I sit at my kitchen table and look at our backyard with patches of green and yellow grass. Our one tree rose is flush with crimson tinged flowers with orange/peach centers. Its colors are like a vibrant sunset.

Today, I am green and brown grass, but I long to be like the tree described by Jeremiah.

I keep reading Jeremiah 17: 7-8 because "Trust" is my 2013 word.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons Flickr user Nicholas_T

v. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

      And whose trust is the LORD,

v.8 For he will be like a tree planted by the water,

     That extends its roots by a stream

     And will not fear when the heat comes;

     But its leaves will be green,

     And it will not be anxious in a year of drought

     Nor cease to yield fruit. - Jer. 17:7, 8 NASB

As I consider these verses, I realize the tree has proximity to water, and depth as evidenced by its roots extending into wet soil. My trust in God is revealed by my closeness to God.

Trusting God has been a gradual process for me.

In Ruthless Trust, Brennan Manning writes:

"Clearly, growth in trust cannot be self initiated...

 

But there is one abundant source of trust to which we must return again and again. It flows from the barren rock of Golgotha at the feet of the crucified Christ. Contemplate the incomparable love of Jesus as he suffocates to death...

Jesus crucified...is the power and wisdom of God, his love capable of transforming our cowardly, distrustful hearts into hearts strong in the trust that they are loved.

We do not have to do anything, except let our unworthy, ungrateful selves be loved as we are. Trust happens! You will trust him to the degree that you know you are loved by him." p. 177-178.

Elsewhere, Brennan notes ruthless trust will trust God regardless of circumstances. I have known friends (in real life, and online) who exemplify ruthless trust as they face pain, suffering and loss. They inspire me.

Ruthless trust knows God doesn't promise we won't suffer, only that we will not suffer alone. He promises His presence now and forever when we trust Him.

Ruthless trust allows one to be grateful.

I am not finished reading Ruthless Trust, and I know it will a lifelong journey of growing in ruthless trust.

This tree needs to sink her roots deeper into the Living Water.

This tree knows deep roots take time.

This tree is soaking her roots in Jesus, the Living Water.

So very grateful. What grace.

What about you? What are your roots sinking into?

Thanks for being here.

P.S. I may be taking a week break from blogging to soak more in His presence. Not sure yet, but if you don't hear from me, you'll know why.

Linking with wise Ann

And sweet and gifted friend Laura Boggess, 

Linking with encouraging and talented friend Jennifer Dukes Lee,

and the amazing Jen 

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons Flickr user Gidzy

It felt like a gentle hug from God. It felt like He was saying, "I see you, Dolly, and it is not about the end product. It is about you learning to trust I see you with delight, and pride now/in your process."

God's delight in me does not depend on my performance. Repeat again (to myself).

God's delight in you does not depend on your performance, especially when you are trying.

God's delight in us does not depend on if we are a caterpillar, hiding in a chrysalis, struggling to emerge, or a flying butterfly.

I am learning to embrace the process of becoming, and allowing God to embrace me in the becoming process.

Don't miss the journey because you are focused on the destination.

The journey with God is the real treasure, ultimately. God reminds me of this foundational truth. Constantly.

God wants me to trust Him enough to believe what He says about me. He delights in me (Zephaniah 3:17).

May you know today that God delights in you, even those little faltering steps you take in obedience to Him. Especially those faltering ones.

As you struggle to grow and let God work out His perfect will in your life, I pray you will feel His unconditional love and delight for you.

What do you think and feel when you read that God delights in you - even when you are in process?

How would you live differently if you truly believed God delights in you?

P.S. Will you please join me in praying for Boston and its people? Jennifer shares "Where Was God in Boston?"

Thanks for sharing this place with me.

Linking with

And sweet and gifted friend Laura Boggess, 

Linking with encouraging and talented friend Jennifer Dukes Lee,

and the amazing Jen