Taste and See!

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Swarzy Shire

Growing up, I’ve always been around food and when my family throw a party, it’s always in the kitchen! My Mum is from Guyana and my Dad is from Mauritius so my home is full of flavour, laughter, and music - but not much faith. My parents aren’t Christians and don’t believe in Jesus, but I had a life changing moment at 14 years old… after being caught shoplifting.

The shopkeeper was furious when he found empty hangers in the changing room and immediately called the police. I panicked and, in desperation, I prayed for the first time: “God, if You’re real, please help me. Get me out of this mess, and I’ll follow You for the rest of my days.” To my surprise, the shopkeeper put down the phone, opened the door, and let me go.

I’d never experienced such mercy like that before. That same week, a friend from school invited me to her youth church. Someone handed me an Oreo milkshake before leading my upstairs where their testimony night was happening. I listened to other young people shared how Jesus met them in their mess with mercy and grace. And that night, I met Him too.

Psalm 34:8 is one of my favourite verses from the bible: “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” Looking back on my life, both food and faith have helped me experience God’s goodness. That’s why I love reading how Jesus often shared meals with people - from wedding feasts to breakfast by the sea - moments where His kindness and care were revealed in the most ordinary, human ways.

I pray there would be moments this week, that we might taste and see the goodness of God in our own lives and find that His love is sweeter than life itself…and Oreo milkshakes too. Amen.