(the full version…)
It wasn’t long ago, that my children were obsessed. They watched Mary Poppins whenever I let them turn on the television. Sometimes they would just forward through the movie and watch only the music and dancing scenes. There was a point where I wanted to hide the disk…
Watching Mary, the new nanny, move dramatically around the children’s nursery snapping and singing about the “fun” of cleaning up was more than I wanted to hear at times. “Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down…” I can hear Julie Andrew’s voice now, happily lilting along. In the movie she teaches Jane and Michael that it takes just a little bit of sweetness in life to make the hard things a bit easier.
I’ll admit it: I was skeptical.
I’ve had my own “medicine” to swallow this week. There’s been a difficult, frustrating lesson for me to learn. I feel like my Heavenly Father has just handed it to me and said, “Here. Take this.” And bam. I’m choking on it.
“Where’s my spoonful of sugar?” Well, that’s what I feel like demanding, anyway.
As a little girl, I remember my mom would give us medicine when we needed it. She would crush up a child’s pain reliever, and administer it on a teaspoon completely covered in a puddle of honey. It made the most awful tasting white powder seem wonderful. Back then I didn’t mind medicine. Not that way…
So, I’ve been looking high and low. Surely there is something to make this all go down easier. Isn’t there anything to help this bitter after- taste? Where can I find my spoonful of goodness to help me take my medicine? After a week of searching, I’ve come to realize maybe I know where to find everything I need, I’m just not savoring it.
If it is true that Jesus will never leave me or forsake me (Joshua 1:5), if He died on the cross suffering every pain and tragedy in my place (Isaiah 53:4-6), or if I need to know that there is one who understands my circumstances (Hebrews 4:14-15), then I can meditate on these things. And if that is not enough, I can think about other promises from His Word : that He will give strength and grace when I need it (Psalm 18:1-3), that above all others He is in control (Psalm 147:4-5 ), and He loves me deeply (Zephaniah 3:17).
Oh how I need to remember these truths when I walk through trials and hardships! If I dwell on Him a little bit longer, His sweetness will break through any bitterness.
His name is like honey on my lips. Taste and see that He is good…
When I am frustrated over circumstances beyond my control…. Jesus. If illness and tragedy cross my path… Jesus. For moments when I feel alone in the struggle… Jesus. In the middle of conflict… Jesus. When I am absolutely, undeniably afraid… Jesus. If healing for a relationship is needed… Jesus. If it is time to make a hard decision… Jesus. In times when I need to just let go… Jesus. For peace and rest on sleepless nights… Jesus.
I am surprised at how just a little goes a long way. And at the same time, there is more than I need for every hurt and every conflict: in each situation He is always enough. Thank you, Jesus for your goodness!
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD. Psalm 104:33-34.
daily portion 