Lemon is typically
a flavor that you either love or cannot stand. For me, it is one of my favorite
flavors and its yellow rind has worked
its way in to my favorite color category over the past few years because of its
fun demeanor.
A sweet friend
with a lemon tree brings them by for me when they are in season and the
possibilities become endless. Lemon bars. Lemon meringue pie. Lemonade. A little
lemon slice to perk up ice water - it's like a little burst of sunshine in a
cup.
The old adage, when life gives you lemons, seems
appropriate to add here. It tends to have a negative connotation to it. Like
lemons are a bad thing. Oh man, you got
lemons again? Guess you better make some lemonade. It states things are not
going as planned. There is a pot hole in the road or a detour or broken bridge
ahead. And you now, you are forced in to juicing some lemons. You have an
unplanned interruption and encouraged to make something out of the bad and ugly
and unwanted in to something desirable and sweet and quenching. You have a choice - to keep the lemons as
they are or make something with them.
And we know that
in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
God is always working out the best for those who
love him. He is always providing a way out and a solid foundation to stand, you
just have to see it. He is working out the suffering for his good.
Homemade
lemonade is a favorite beverage in our home. The key to making it perfect is
melting the sugar in a pot of boiling water, eliminating any floating sugar
particles, and then mixing it all together with the rest of the water and lemon
juice, making sure not to add too much sugar as to over sweeten but just enough
to still have a little kick. Just enough
sweetness to accompany the sour.
Life is like
that. You need just enough sweetness to accompany the sourness that comes your
way. Smiles to overshadow the frowns. Compliments to overcome the putdowns.
Surprises to outweigh the let downs. And for God to provide the sugar.
This is
where prayer comes in and resources. Prayer asking
God to open your eyes to see the sugar through the situation. Through the
illness or lay off or temper tantrum or traffic or foreclosure. Through the
surgery or therapy. And to see the resources around you. The little grains of
sugar and the overflowing spring of water.
Praying that
whatever seems like lemons would be made into another testimony of God's
faithfulness. Praying that your interruptions and detours would be seen as
opportunities. That you would see God's favor resting on you throughout the
situation in ways only he can work. Praying that you would see God's provision
and resources around you and that you would have the wisdom to use them in
accordance with his will.
Praying that
you would drink in the goodness of God's promises, knowing that everything
works together for those who are called according to his purposes.
Here's to
lemons and prayers.