I was so sheltered when I was growing up. Food sheltered that is. Our meals consisted of many things that were grown on my grandparents’ farm, including the beef from Papaw’s cows. But, the chicken, turkey, and pork came from the grocery store.
As a child, I thought those meats were the only ones that people ate. Then I started hearing about people eating frog legs and how they would jerk and jump while frying in the skillet. That blew my little mind because I simply could not imagine it. Each time I asked what the frog legs tasted like; I would always receive the response: “It tastes like chicken.” I often wondered how creatures like frogs could taste anything like chickens.
Also, I heard some people talk about eating turtles and how much they loved turtle soup. In my little mind, I envisioned a hard shell floating in a big stew pot. Of course, that isn’t how they were eaten. When I asked what turtle tasted like, I received the usual answer: “It tastes like chicken.” In fact, I heard that same answer when others discussed eating squirrels, rabbits, and even possums.
A few years ago, we visited our relatives in Florida. One night, we all went to a very nice restaurant that had fresh alligator listed on the menu. Needless to say, I was somewhat surprised. while there was a tall statue of an alligator in front of the building, I thought it was something for fun and for the tourists. And yes, I asked the inevitable question, “What does alligator taste like?” I will give one guess as to the unanimous response that greeted me.
“It tastes like chicken!”
“And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” Acts 10: 11-15 (KJV)
As you probably know, there were animals the Hebrews did not eat because they were deemed unclean. But animals were not the only things seen as unclean. We gentiles were as well. To me, these verses show that God is getting Peter ready to reach out to the gentiles. You see, God’s saving grace is for everybody. Even those we don’t get along with or agree with. Each and every one of us needs Jesus. So, share Him with everyone.
Tim and I love grilled chicken. One evening we decided to try something new by soaking it in a garlic vinaigrette before he grilled it. After it was done, he brought the sumptuous pieces of chicken in on a plate and sat it on the counter. I noticed what I thought was a little bitty piece of chicken. I picked it up and popped it into my mouth. Unfortunately for me, it was actually a little piece of a clove of garlic. My eyes immediately began to water and I thought, “If only that had tasted like chicken!”