Don’t forget the Sweetener!

I knew I had forgotten something. As I watched the darkening green concoction swirling in the blender in front of me, the thoughts inside my head were doing the same. So much to do. So little time. And yet I had a nagging feeling that something was missing. Then it hit me. Stevia! I paused the blender to add a few drops of this natural liquid sweetener and then continued blending what would now be a perfect smoothie. I had learned a while ago that just a hint of Stevia had the ability to turn a barely palatable nutritional drink into a delightfully pleasurable mid-day treat.

With that mystery resolved, my thoughts turned back to the many items on my mental “to do” list. Seemingly out of nowhere, something new arose in my spirit, and I heard the distinct recommendation, “Don’t forget the sweetener!” I reflected on what that statement might mean to me throughout this day. What “sweetener” could I add to my words, actions and interactions? Was it possible that I could transform both my outlook and my outcomes by adding a bit of “natural” sweetener?
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I decided to put my evolving theory to the test. Throughout the day, as I began each new activity, I kept asking myself, “What will it take to sweeten this?” I was amazed by the power of this simple question to change the way I acted and reacted, not to mention how others responded to me. Incredibly, a day that threatened to be stressful actually became blessed-full!

As leaders, our lives often feel too busy and too complicated. On occasion it’s the bad things, but often it can be that too many of the “good things” overwhelm our “to do” list. As a result, what should be pleasurable becomes barely palatable and we find ourselves choking under the tension and pressure. In those moments I want to invite you to pause, take a deep breath and ask yourself the question, “What will it take to sweeten this?”

If you do find yourself at a loss for which supernatural sweetener to use, why not select one from the Apostle Paul’s “sweetener” list. In
Galatians 5:22 we learn that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Just by adding a drop or two of “Holy Spirit” sweetener into your day, you may be pleasantly surprised to find yourself on your way to a deliciously successful and blessed-full day!
Written by Keturah Harris