Delicious Goodness

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:29-31; Psalm 34:8-10

“Ouch! Mom, that’s too tight.” Renee pulled away from her mother.

“I’m sorry, Renee. But if your ponytail isn’t tight, it might not stay in. You don’t want it in your face, do you?”

Renee sighed as she let her mom finish doing her hair. “Why are we going to Aunt Rose’s house today?”

“Because your aunt asked if we would like to help her in her garden. I thought it might be fun for you. Now let’s get going before we’re late.”

Much to Renee’s surprise, her aunt’s garden was a lot of fun. Aunt Rose taught her how to pick green beans and raspberries. Renee also got to see all the other things her aunt was growing that were not being picked today: melons, sweet corn, carrots, and more produce.

When Renee’s mom left to go pick up a pizza for dinner, Renee stayed to help her aunt prepare the green beans.

“It’s very easy to snap green beans,” Aunt Rose told her. “It just requires a little bit of time. See, you take one of the green beans and snap off one end, then the other.” She demonstrated. “Now you try.”

Renee snapped a bean like she had been shown. “Just like this?”

Aunt Rose smiled. “Exactly like that! After we snap them all, we’ll cook them and eat them with our pizza and fruit. Well, if there’s any fruit left.”

Renee blushed as she put a raspberry in her mouth. “Sorry. It’s just all so good!”

“It is, isn’t it? It’s a great reminder of God’s goodness.”

“God’s goodness? What does His goodness have to do with fruit?”

“God shows us goodness in many ways. One of those ways is by providing food for us. That’s why I like to pray before I eat—to thank God for His goodness in providing me with food. It helps me remember all the other ways He shows His goodness and provides for us—like sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and give us eternal life.”

Renee glanced at the bowl of fruit sitting beside her. “I hadn’t thought about that.” She popped another raspberry into her mouth. “He must show extra goodness to us by making the food taste so good!”

-Kimberly Brokish

How About You?

Have you ever helped with a garden? It’s amazing to see God’s goodness in how He provides for us. He made the soil so we could grow plants in it and have food. How else does God provide for us? In His goodness, He gives us food, water, and shelter. He also provides salvation to us through Jesus, who died and rose again to save us from sin. Next time you eat, remember to thank God for His goodness.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

God shows goodness by providing for us