A Truly Wide Taste

“THE TRULY WIDE TASTE

in reading is that which enables a man to find something for his needs on the sixpenny tray outside any secondhand bookshop. The truly wide taste in humanity will similarly find something to appreciate in the cross-section of humanity one has to meet every day. In my experience, it is Affection that creates this taste, teaching us first to notice, then to endure, then to smile at, then to enjoy, and finally to appreciate the people who 'happen to be there.' Made for us? Thank God, no. They are themselves odder than you could have believed and worth far more than we guessed."[1]

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TASTING THE MANY

flavors of people at Timber Ridge, a retirement community where I have lived for four years, is part of my every day. Sit a few minutes near the lobby fireplace, library, lounge, or dining room, and they will come. The ‘secret sauce' is not really a secret, but something available to us all; namely, Interest in and Affection for others that explores and surprises, like a great drink or a memorable meal. And for me, the "wide taste in humanity" begins with four simple words I ask God to bless at the beginning of the day before ever saying them to anyone. "Tell me your story" or "I have seen you" or "How are you today?"

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Being fully present with others, listening well to the Holy Spirit and to those we encounter is essential. First, we must give to Him whatever is or is not happening to us in our little world, whatever seems overwhelming and all-consuming. Getting our 'stuff' out of the way. Once done, we can join Lewis and begin "first to notice, then to endure, then smile at, then enjoy, and finally, to appreciate, the people who 'happen to be there." The neighbors we know. And the ones we don't know yet. “Odder than we could have believed and worth far more than we guessed."[2]

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SURROUNDED DAILY

by people He loves with great passion I feel like I'm with God, listening to the stories they tell, the burdens they offload, the losses and disappointments that pass between us, sometimes mingled with tears and brief smiles, even laughter, over memories of happier days. At first glance they seem to have everything together, yet down deep still feel something is missing. Just what it is they may not be able to put into words.

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I'M REMINDED OF

the haunting lyrics made memorable in the late 60s by singer Peggy Lee. A song about a person disillusioned with life's events and who keeps asking, "Is that all there is? Is that all there is? If that's all there is friends, then let's keep dancing. Let's break out the booze and have a ball. If that's all there is."?A sad song really, but one any thinking person cannot accept as "the reason why I am still here."[3]

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IN SOME WAY

knowingly or unknowingly, believer or unbeliever, we have all experienced brief moments of the love and the presence of Jesus, who says to everyone, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.[4] In other words, God is saying, I've got you.

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And we long for this to be true always for us.

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To know God loves us personally. To know He loves those surrounding us. To know He loves the world and everyone in it enough to come for us, die for us, and rise again for us.[5] To taste and see that the Lord is good.[6]

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"Come to me … learn from me … I will give you rest.”[7]

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This is the offer God makes.

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May Jesus keep us close.

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[1] C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves, Harper Collins, 1960

[2] C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves, Harper Collins, 1960

[3] Is That All There Is lyrics ? Sony/atv Tunes Llc, Jerry Leiber Music, Mike Stoller Music

[4] Matthew 11:28-30

[5] John 3:16

[6] Psalm 34:8

[7] Matthew I1:28