"Watermelon"

A great big joy of summer,

I looked forward to each year,

Was when Dad cut a watermelon,

He’d thump and say right here,

Is the sweetest meat, the heart of it,

And no seeds there at all,

I was hoping for an ice cold slice,

And it was so good, y’all.

Grandaddy ate his up so fast,

Dad told him to slow down,

You’re eatin’ like a prisoner,

No one’s stealin’ it, he’d frown.

But Granddaddy didn’t care one bit,

He’d smile and just keep on,

And everybody’d laugh and say,

It’ll soon be gone.

We’d go to see Aunt Ruby,

In summertime’s long days,

And sometime after we had lunch,

They’d bring ‘em out always,

Those big old long and striped ones,

They must’ve weighed five pound,

And we were in high cotton,

When they brought them around.

They’d lay on lots of morton’s salt,

It made it even better,

And after we would spit the seeds,

Mom said to come and get her.

And a southern belle no doubt she was,

But she could spit a seed,

Farther than my cousins,

And never any need,

To think she should apologize,

‘Cause all part of the trip,

Was watermelon cuttin’ time,

That you could eat and sip.

Now they grow ‘em without seeds,

And that’s okay with me,

Just means faster down it goes,

Wish Granddad lived to see.

Honey, go and get me some,

I’ll cut us one tonight,

God made watermelon,

It’s a summertime delight.

“He fills my life with good things…” (Psalm 103:5, NLT)

You hear a lot of talk about how hard it is to live as a Christian these days. There is no doubt that we are called to take up our crosses and die to ourselves daily. But those who sacrifice the most seem to feel it the least. Why is that? It’s because they are focused on the goodness of the Lord. They are thankful for all the big things God does, like saving us, healing us, and forgiving us. But they are also aware that He gives good things to eat and experience- like watermelon! We are called to an abundant life of celebrating God’s goodness. Let’s get on with it.

Lord, help us celebrate Your goodness today, in Jesus’ name.