The Unexpected Tomato
written by Mr. David McClain, Head of FCS; first published on the FCS blog, December 7, 2024
Recently, walking through the kitchen, I saw a bowl full of grapes, and—as I often do—reached in, grabbed one, and popped it in my mouth.
I bit down, the juices filled my mouth, and my brain and tastebuds revolted until I spit it out.
Unbeknownst to me, baby tomatoes had been buried in the bowl, hidden just under the grapes. In my haste, I had inadvertently grabbed one of the tomatoes.
Now, to be clear, I like baby tomatoes.
But this time, my tastebuds were deeply offended because I was expecting the sweet familiar juice of a grape. As soon as the tomato juices hit, the unexpected became an offense upending my senses.
Just like that unexpected tomato disguised among the grapes, life often delivers surprises that catch us off guard—moments that disrupt our expectations and leave us grappling with disappointment.
And as we enter this Christmas season, many are bearing a heavy burden of dissatisfaction and disappointment of the unexpected.
- A family member who is no longer with the family
- A lost job or career that has thrust them into turmoil and uncertainty about the future
- An illness that has altered the meaning of normal
- Struggles with parenting or marriages
- A thousand other different unexpected moments and experiences assault the tastebuds of the soul
Things have not turned out as we expected or hoped or planned.
In Philippians 4:11-13, the Apostle Paul writes,
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Most people are familiar with verse thirteen, but verse thirteen is married to verses eleven and twelve.
Let me paraphrase it a different way:
“I am not speaking from my own desires and expectations, for I have learned to be okay with unexpected tomatoes. Life is full of unexpected and difficult moments, but God’s desire is for us to accept our circumstances, both joyful and sorrowful, with His grace. That lesson has helped me learn to live life for His glory no matter what.”
Our lives must be lived in light of Who He is and in the faith of knowing His will is perfect.
What matters most is our response.
This is not a defeatist or nihilistic view, but a proper, peaceful perspective that allows us to be content.
Many would claim verse thirteen’s truth while revolting against the abased, hungry, and suffering need from verses eleven through twelve.
Let’s remember what Jesus reminded His disciples in John 16:33,
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
In truth, if God chose to pull back the curtain and reveal all that He knows and allow us to see everything from His perspective, our disappointment and dissatisfaction would disappear.
Christmas season reminds us to celebrate this powerful, comforting truth; we will only find peace in Him—learning to abide in His will and His Word and being able to say,
“It’s enough for me.”
My prayer for each of you is that you will find that everlasting, constant peace this Christmas.