Isn’t odd how we can still learn new tastes regardless of our age. It’s even more funny when it happens because we’re hungry. Tim and I both have experienced this.
When we first started dating, I was surprised to discover Tim ate salads like a rabbit. No, he didn’t nibble on them while wiggling his nose. He ate them without any salad dressing. I’m talking completely dry. Then came the first time we ate at the Olive Garden. I forgot to tell him they serve their salads in one large bowl with the dressing already on it. “I can’t eat this! I’ll have to get another salad.” To which, I replied: “But that’ll take more time and you’re pretty hungry. Why don’t you just try it?” Tim grumped: “I guess,” as he dipped some salad onto his plate. I held my breath as he took a bite. Either he would love it or he would never, ever eat dressing again. “This is really good stuff!” Not only did Tim eat most of the salad himself but, I was surprised he also didn’t lick the bowl.
Then came my turn. A few months ago, we went to church with Sara, Jordan, and their baby, Maverick. Tim and I took them out for lunch afterwards. Of course, we were getting pretty hungry by that time. After we ordered, Jordan wanted to get some fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. As most of you know by now, I don’t eat tomatoes. Never have. When they brought out the fried green icky stuff, they sat the plate down in front of me. I politely scooted it toward the middle of the table. That’s when Tim said: “I know you’re hungry. You know, you could try one.” I picked up my fork. Now, are you thinking: “Wow! Brooke ate a green tomato!” Nope. I didn’t. Instead, I went after the stuff served under them.
Let me back up a little here. My Mamaw Jo and Papaw EO always had eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gravy for breakfast. I never saw any grits. Now, my paternal grandmother, Mamaw Holbert, loved them. She gave me bite of some when I was a kid. I thought the texture was weird and they had a rather bland taste. So, in my mind, I wasn’t an eater of grits. Also, I didn’t eat cheese for most of my life. It’s only been the last few years that I have began to eat some varieties of cheese. Now, let’s go back to the lunch table with my family. Tim was right about me being hungry. I took my fork and scraped of some of the stuff served under the fried green tomatoes onto it. To me, it resembled rice, but it was thicker and was light orange in color. Also, there was a pale orange sauce on the plate. I tasted the rice stuff. “Hey, this stuff is really good!” Then I took some of the rice stuff and dipped in into the orange sauce. “This makes it even better.” Let me tell you, I ate all of that. When the waiter came back to the table, I asked him what it was that I had just eaten. He smiled and answered: “Cheese grits with andouille sauce.” Tim burst out laughing.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8 (KJV)
Tim and I both had the wrong perceptions about the taste of certain foods. That was until we ate a bite of them. I think the same applies to The Lord. Many have yet to really taste His love and goodness. Once you do, you’ll not only realize what you’ve been missing, but you’ll want more.
Tim still enjoys dressings as long as they’re a vinaigrette. As for me, I only eat cheese grits from that restaurant. When I told my mom about it, she said: “Better you than me. I’ll stick with my fried green tomatoes.”

Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.