Twinings’ Cranberry & Raspberry

Twinings’ Cranberry & Raspberry Infusion ‘tea’ contains a surprising ingredient: liquorish root. Liquorish is a taste I have always despised; my mother, who called it ‘Spanish’, would therefore enjoy picking out the horrid black sweets from my dolly mixtures, eating them herself. Its flavour is as dark as its colour, yet here I am, sipping away from a cup containing some of it. The online health brigade swear by its healing properties and health benefits, which I shall not bother to repeat here. Yet its flavours, though subtle, must add something to the mix which make the drink so enjoyable. Had it been removed, the taste might have been too plain, or too dull, or rather flavourless.

A little of something ‘bad’ does have its benefits, like sherry in a trifle or sugar in a cake. The Lord promises glory and honour in the world to come, but He certainly mixes into our earthly ingredients doses of pain, hardship, illness and opposition. This is not spite or carelessness on His part, but a wise and fatherly policy of seeing His people grow. He gives us not so much that we cannot bear, but enough that we learn to trust Him, lean on Him, seek Him and long for Him.

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

For whom the Lord loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives.”

-Hebrews 12:5-6