One of the reasons hubby and I got married was because we really liked each other! So after we said our “I do’s,” we just kept dating (that’s why he’s still my boyfriend). The kids came along fairly early in our marriage – and we still kept dating. We probably weren’t stellar parents because we set the bar pretty low. All the sitter had to do was keep the boys alive for a few hours. We needed date nights away from the kids (all you married people out there need date nights!), and we made that time a priority.

There are no chicks left in the nest now, but we still set aside time for dates. Dinners out used to be our go-to, but over the years, we’ve come to really enjoy Saturday brunch. Several brunch houses are within a reasonable distance from the Love Shack (our home) so we try out different spots for variety. While any cook can whip up decent bacon and eggs, each brunch house has a few unique items on the menu. We order the things we wouldn’t normally cook at home. ¿Carnitas breakfast quesadillas, amigos? Crab cake benedict? Short rib skillet? Probably not happenin’ in my kitchen, but we’re happy to try them when we’re on a brunch date.

One “ordinary” thing the boyfriend tends to order when we go out is fresh squeezed orange juice. For whatever reason, I don’t keep OJ in the house – fresh squeezed or otherwise – so it’s a treat for him. The cheerful color of the sweet juice with fresh pulp in a cold glass just makes his little heart happy!

Someone back in the kitchen places orange halves in the juicer and – voila! – out comes a great glass of juice! The pressure applied to the fruit reveals its quality – is it sweet and delicious or tart and practically undrinkable? A lovely orange plucked too soon from the tree may appear ripe and lush, but when it’s squeezed, the truth comes out – its juice is sour.

A good test of the authenticity of God’s work in our lives is this – what comes out of us when we’re “squeezed?” When the pressure is on, are we able to maintain a posture of peace, to control our speech, to deal patiently with others involved? Does our demeanor reflect our trust in God to walk us through our trials?

Or is our response indistinguishable from the world’s? Do we complain, blame, and explode in anger? Do we worry, fret, and doubt that God even cares about our situation?

How we respond in those tough circumstances reveals our true character. Dr. Luke diagnoses the situation in simple terms – “The good man brings forth good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings forth evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

What’s inside matters. That’s why it’s so critical for the believer to be discerning about what we allow into our hearts and minds. We absolutely must filter information and opinions through the lens of Scripture so that errors and lies are recognized and rejected. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” We train ourselves to focus on the ways of God – not the ways of the world. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) Todd Wagner’s sermon title “Bible First, Bible Most” is a great diet for what and how we should feed our souls.

The next time we’re “squeezed,” may we be so filled with God’s truth and Spirit that His goodness oozes from our every word and action!