Hidden Sweetness

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-16

Piper cringed as she took a sip from her glass. “Yuck! This isn’t very good lemonade,” she said. “It’s really sour.”

“That’s odd,” said Mom. “It’s the same brand we’ve always used. Maybe you didn’t put enough sugar in it.”

“Yes, I did. I’m sure I did!” Piper looked at her glass and frowned. “This lemonade reminds me of Mae. She’s sour too.”

“You mean Mae Jones from church?” Mom asked. “She always seemed like a sweet girl to me.”

“She used to be, but she’s not sweet anymore,” Piper replied. “Ever since she didn’t make the soccer team, she’s been really nasty and rude to everybody—especially to the girls who made the team.”

“Hmm. Well, don’t be too hard on her,” said Mom. “Disappointment is a painful thing, and I’m sure she feels very sad.”

Piper shrugged, picked up her glass again, and tried another sip of lemonade. She made a face as she swallowed, then glanced at the pitcher on the table. All of a sudden, she knew what had happened. “I know why this lemonade is so sour! I put enough sugar in the pitcher, but I forgot to stir it. Look! You can see the sugar at the bottom.” Piper got out a spoon, stirred the lemonade, and tried it again. “That’s much better!”

Mom smiled. “All the sugar was at the bottom of the pitcher, so the lemonade was sour until you stirred the sweetness through it. That might be what’s happening with Mae too. Sometimes Christians can lose sight of the sweetness of God’s love when difficult things happen to them. Maybe you can stir it up in Mae’s life and help her remember who she is in Jesus.”

“How would I do that?” asked Piper.

“First of all, pray for her,” said Mom. “Then be sympathetic and understanding. Listen to her if she wants to talk—sometimes that’s all it takes to help. Remind her that Jesus loves her and cares about what she’s going through—and show her that you care too.”

“Okay,” Piper said. “I’ll see what I can stir up!” – Suzanne M. Daly

How About You?

Have you ever had a friend turn sour? It can be upsetting when someone’s behavior suddenly changes, but don’t act with indifference or anger. Instead, stir up the sweetness of God’s love by showing them the same patience and kindness Jesus shows you when you’re in a sour mood. Listen to them, pray for them, and let them see that both you and God care for them.

Today’s Key Verse: Colossians 3:12 Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Remind others of Jesus’ love