What Does Your Life Taste Like?          By Carl McMurray

 

Have you ever opened your big fat mouth and been amazed later at what came out? Maybe you said something you thought was cute and funny. Then you saw instantly the hurt and betrayal in the eyes of the one you were talking to and wished above all things you could take it back, but you couldn’t.

 

Or perhaps on occasion you’ve tried to help someone. You thought before you spoke. you measured your words, and then you tried to point out the problem or fault. And the other person took it well, but before the conversation was over you realized that your comments, although good intentioned, were the straws that might overload this camels back. This person had been carrying so much inside and now your comments were added to the pile. And you decided that maybe the issue really hadn’t been that important after all, but you couldn’t lift that burden now.

 

I have been amazed, from behind the counselor’s desk, to hear the hateful and ugly things that people say to one another in their anger and irritation. I’ve been shocked at the names that husbands and wives call each other. Yes, even Christians. When I was repossessing cars I had people call me names with such color and vehemence that a sailor would have blushed. I’ve not forgotten those attacks from strangers. I wonder if husbands and wives are ever able to forget that kind of attack from a loved one. What scars are left and what a bad taste in one’s mouth afterwards.

 

I say all of this to point out that squash and green persimmons are not the only thing that leave a bad taste in one’s mouth. There is a sour sickening taste that comes from involvement with every kind of sin. That taste is only taken away with real forgiveness. The kind of forgiveness that a loved one seals with a hug and a kiss that lets you know the matter is put away forever. It’s the kind of forgiveness that our heavenly Father offers us time and time again for the sins that taint our lives and stain our spirits.

 

There is the taste of mountain spring water in mid-July or sweet iced tea on an august evening. There is also the pure clean taste that come from right living. The taste of grace poured out and forgiveness extended that comes from reading the words of God and doing them with confidence. It’s no wonder that Christians are generally a happy bunch of folk. They’ve got a good taste in their mouth.