"Sour Nip"

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST IS PERHAPS BEST READ BY LADIES ONLY. IF YOU'RE A MAN, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK OF EMBARRASSMENT!"

The "Sour Nip" story was told to me years ago by a dear friend, Clarissa. Clarissa has 2 lovely daughters, both in college by now I imagine. But when they were babies, it was faddish then for mommies to nurse their babies for an extended time. Some mothers nursed their babies until they were standing up and asking for a "snack." Ahem.

Anyway, Clarissa did nurse her babies until they were old enough to talk. The younger girl was particularly attached to this endearing activity, but Mama Clarissa was wearying of it. She wondered how to encourage her daughter to give it up. And, you guessed it, she decided to apply lemon juice to the pertinent area. The little girl curled up for a snuggle with mommy, but -- OOOOOH -- yuck! She backed away, looked up into Clarissa's eyes, and said, "Mama! Sour Nip!"

I thought of this sweet story this past week while talking with a friend. We both recounted stories of times when God, the wise parent, had given us a "sour nip." God places his children is positions of service and ease. We are happy with life. We anticipate living in a particular place, or doing a certain work. We settle in for a period of nurturing and leisure.

And then God can make those places, those times, turn sour. He can make us long to escape the very pleasures we once longed for. He can give your town, your job, your church even, the taste of "sour nip."

It's important (but difficult) to discern the Lord's leading. Often when we think we've "got it!" and understand what He's about to do, He changes it again. But tasting the "sour nip" is one way of accepting God's changes and leading in our lives. And although He may turn attachments in our lives a bit sour, our relationship with Him is ALWAYS sweet.