God Made Watermelon

Some of my favorite sounds are crunch of fresh snow under my feet, the words "I love you" from a voice that matters to me, and the French horn wailing at 2:26 in David Foster's "Water Fountain." This summer I am infatuated with the dull crack-thud of Albanian field-ripened watermelons when split down the middle. And today I am in love with the God who made them.

My extended family is going through a major trial, one involving my niece who will be another victim of the American foster system, which seems to be run by people who have never had children, never met children, never been children. But they do have child psychology degrees.

The girl, after years of being hockey-pucked to different homes, finally landed in a loving home with parents who understand and know how to shepherd children. Over a year later, the troubled child is adjusted and attached to the new home. Just now, all of the sudden, the experts say it is time to whack the poor little puck to a new home.

In Christ, there is no such thing as "irreversible damage," but this is getting as close as it comes. Imagine if your three-year old was wrested from your home ... just when she thought it was safe to trust you to protect her ... just when she thought it was safe to let herself love again. In such situations, when we are weakest, when we are in the fog, Appolyon unleashes his worst (he waited until the end of Christ's fast to tempt Him): "How can this plan be right? How can God be good? How can God be God? Look here, He broke His promise."

I do not have answers about our situation. In vain I speculate or cite the chaotic "back of the tapestry" imagery. Even Scripture can seem to be more confusing than comforting in times like these, times when we are dizzy and reeling and light-headed and can't swallow because of the lump in the way.

But God made watermelon, and it is good. He made it to ripen in the summer, when we need it most. And it is sweet and pink and thumps well, like a bongo. And the children like it because it's messy and its seeds are slimy, great for spitting.

I don't understand why the foster system is doing this. But watermelon is good. And its Creator is good. And "it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD" (Psalm 73:28).