Sweet & Sour “Ish”

My daughter’s favorite Chinese dish is sweet and sour chicken. Since she was small, she’s loved dipping golden, crispy pieces of fried chicken in that gloriously delicious red sauce. That’s the extent of her palette for Chinese fare. 

And, you know, life is full of those “sweet & sour” moments, experiences and situations. Often times, one can experience that whole range in one day.  I’m sure you can recall such days - or seasons of life. 

One such day for us was when we were preparing for our daughter’s twenty-first birthday celebration and instead we ended up standing beside our firstborn son at a funeral home. Sweet and oh-so-sour. 

Or there are moments which are supposed to be joyous, such as holidays, and you find yourself delightfully enjoying your friends and family...only to suddenly be bombarded with thoughts and memories of loved ones no longer around your table. It can be for any number of reasons: death, divorce, estrangement, broken friendships, etc. The possibilities are endless. Sadness and joy intertwined! Sweet and sour. 

I was thinking about the season we are quickly approaching. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Although we should be so year around, we tend to focus on being thankful this time of year. Again, there is sweet and sour. Thankful for life, thankful for possibilities, for the material things God has blessed us with, health, companionship, friends and family. These are all beautiful things, aren’t they? The sweet stuff. Then we should also stop and give thanks for the good things which have come from loss and tragedy, abandonment and abuse, disappointment and failure. The sour stuff. 

How often I’ve held onto this statement: “God never wastes a hurt.” I remember in the Bible when Joseph mentions that his brothers intended him bad, but God meant it for good. Also, I recall Job saying the Lord gives and takes away, but blessed be the Lord anyhow. Abraham loved Isaac yet was asked to sacrifice his promised child. Jesus being born in a manger and celebrated by angels, shepherds and wise men, yet sought to be killed by a wicked king. 

So, I guess there really is nothing new under the sun. In Job 14, we read, “Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.”  In John 16:33, Jesus encouraged, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” This world is full of sweet and sour, but this world is NOT our home. 

I heard this phrase last week on a podcast I was listening to and it stood out like a shining beacon from Heaven to me:

“This earth is as bad as it gets!”

For the child of God, come what may, sweet or sour, there is a better day coming. Though we wrestle on this earth one day and may enjoy the next, there is a day coming when there will be no more sour. Only the sweet presence of God, sacred worship, peace and unity will exist. Forever! 

So, whether you’re having a difficult sour season, or experiencing a sweet spot in life, take courage in knowing greater things are ahead. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard...it’s going to be a great day sitting at the Master’s table enjoying all His goodness and preparations for His bride. Be sure you have reservations for the marriage supper of the Lamb, it’s going to be worth it all.  

So, so much better than the Chinese take-out my daughter enjoys.  Be encouraged today, my friend. 

Blessings~