Week Three of Advent: Taste Goodness!

I hate the phrase "holiday rush."  

It seems like a cultural expectation.  It's one I can let myself get catapulted into way too easily.

Whether it's allowing my December to fill up or speaking and acting like I'm constantly behind or my to-do list is bearing down on me. Plus the holidays can really bring my compulsive perfectionism to the surface which adds yet another layer of drivenness.      

How present are you when you're rushing to buy presents?  How much of the Christmas season are you truly enjoying as you try to attend and do everything you're "supposed to" in order to make the days merry?  

I can barely listen or see anything when in a hurry.  And taste...how much of my meal (especially those holiday treats!) do I actually taste when I'm in a rush?  Not much.  

When the Psalmist reminds us to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8), I don't think that can happen if we're too caught up in the hustle and bustle.  The next line of the Psalm says, "blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."  Do I even stop long enough to allow God to be a refuge?  Not nearly enough.  I don't know about you, but I want to taste more of that blessing.  

What if we join God in the present by tasting?  It can be our Advent practice this week.  

Rather than rush a meal, gulp down a cup of coffee or gobble the Christmas cookie, let's...

• Let go of multi-tasking for a moment.
• Sit down or stand still.
• Eat or drink slower than usual.
• ​Notice the temperature and texture.  
• Savor the flavor.

What will we discover?  How will it shape our day?  I wonder if it will allow us some needed space to notice how God is present with us, already offering us refuge (and other good gifts).  Perhaps in doing something as simple as tasting, we'll taste the goodness of God.  

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