Are you familiar with the pomegranate fruit?
Well, just a few years ago, I didn’t know what it was until my eyes kept noticing them in the grocery store. One day, I decided to pick one up and look at it. I wondered if it had a ‘smell’ so I slowly bent my head down and brought the fruit to my nose. To my surprise, I didn’t smell anything. The different variations of its color and shape brought forth a curiosity that I could no longer ignore, so I purchased two.
Once I got home, I picked up my phone and went to YouTube to see if there were any tutorials on how to cut and eat it. I followed the instructions in the video and began to cut the pomegranate down the middle.
When I opened it up, it was shocking to see so many seeds! I stood there staring at the beautiful hues of red that the seeds displayed along with the juice coming out of the fruit. While watching the video, I noticed that they placed the pomegranate in water after cutting it, which made it easier to extract the seeds.
I couldn’t wait until I pulled all of the seeds out of the shell of the fruit, so I scooped a few seeds in my hand and tossed them in my mouth. Oh My Goodness! I could not stop eating them. They were so good!
They started off with a sweet taste – but the more I ate, the more I noticed the bitter aftertaste. Wow, that’s different, I thought to myself, while I continued to eat more seeds.
The Sweet and Bitter Work Together
It was at that moment that God began to spiritually show me, through this fruit, how the seeds are like life and they come in different variations of red – like our experiences.
I’ve eaten some seeds that were sweet moments that I revisit often. When they come, I’m never too busy to entertain. They bring memories that show up as smiles, laughs, and tears of joy.
Some seeds I’ve eaten were bitter moments that I revisit frequently, as well. When they come, it’s difficult to replay but I still entertain them. The lessons still feel real and the blessings have either been revealed or still in disguise.
How Does it All Work Together for Your Good?
But, then there are moments that are not either bitter or sweet – they encompass both sweetness and bitterness.
One of those moments for me was the passing of my mother on April 26, 2011. As I recap my life, I think about those sweet and bitter moments with my mom that have both played a part in me becoming the woman that I am today. While our relationship was very close we also had some ‘bitter’ times as well.
Both experiences have produced ‘fruit’ in me that I have been able to share with others and embrace along the journey of life. Every time I think of my mom’s death and her no longer being here with me, it makes me sad. There are so many moments in my life right now that I long for her advice or even just to hear her tell me something funny while I am sad so that I can laugh through the pain. She had a way of making some of the hardest times in my life feel less heavy with her love and support.
I carry in my heart beautiful memories of her life with me and decided to share some of those moments in a documentary (called “Viola”) and book (Healing On The Other Side) that I released in July 2019.
So, What’s the Play Call?
God continues to remind us that there’s a plan for our lives that involves these sweet and bitter seeds. Here’s a little reminder on how to consume these seeds:
- Don’t spit them out: I know it may feel difficult at times in your life, but Isaiah 41:10 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. “ (NLT)
- Chew: Even though it may not taste good, Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”(NLT)
- Embrace the taste: The sweet juice of the fruit tastes really good before you experience the bitter aftertaste. While you are enjoying the sweet taste, meditate on God’s goodness and the truth that He’s keeping you. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” (NLT)
Trust and believe – God has prepared your life’s palate for every unique experience to come!
It was Jesus who said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” (Matthew 19:4). What is it about these little ones that captivate Jesus so? In reality, we can’t stay young and naïve as children forever. But, we can certainly learn a lot about faith and trust when we look at how young children operate in the world.
In 1 Samuel chapters 24 and 26, David is given the chance to kill Saul, once by his own sword. But, he decided to allow God the vengeance that he would have taken. He allowed himself to heed the conviction of the Lord.
One of the greatest privileges of my job in NASCAR as a Tire Changer is being able to interact with individuals up-close that I have seen from afar off. I’ve met a few incredibly successful people who were not positive and/or confident about themselves. And, none of them are any more gifted than you or I. In fact, in many cases, they are less gifted, less talented, and less skilled. They don’t have more than you, they just think differently than you.
Let’s be honest, as parents we want to shelter our children from the storms and complications of the world by slamming their bedroom doors and keeping them in a safe bubble. 
When you aren’t moving forward, situations will come your way to try and force you backward or further hinder your process. Complacency is not an option, you have to grow even if it’s baby steps.
Smoothie recipes aren’t hard to find or create. However, many recipes are unbalanced in macronutrients and high in sugar. When smoothies don’t have a good combo of fiber, fat, and protein, they can leave you low on energy and hungry not long after. These are a few tips to create recipes that will energize you for hours and taste great:
