Lemonade

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2 NLT).

Have you ever turned down a nice glass of lemonade? It tastes great doesn’t it, especially when someone that knows what they are doing is making it. No two people make lemonade exactly the same because our taste buds are so different. Some people like really sweet lemonade, but I personally prefer for my lemonade to be a little more tart. I want to taste the lemons!

Some of us have spiritual taste buds that require us to taste the lemons of life. Everyone will not have a sweet journey, but the things that we go through will be enough for us to make a glass of lemonade to be shared with others.

“There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13 GWT).

What are you doing with your personal basket of lemons? Are you making lemonade or are you allowing your lemons to sit unused and purposeless in your basket (heart)? God created lemons for a reason. They add freshness to dishes (your situation) and are the secret ingredient to some desserts.

Again, I ask, what are you doing with your basket of lemons? Beyoncé made an album and many others have written books, movies, and other great manifestations of this sour, but useful fruit.

I will both admit to and volunteer to be the first one to raise my hand as I hold my basket of lemons filled with fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and insecurity to saying that sometimes I think about giving up. Sometimes I want to stop, cry, and burn my basket of troubles, but I know that the lemons in my life have a purpose that is beyond my temporary feelings. I know that God will use each and every lemon that I carry for His glory and I know that some amazing glasses of lemonade will be made in my lifetime.

Lord, I thank you that your promises are true no matter what my circumstances attempt to tell me. I thank you that all things are working for my good and I thank you for covering each and every one of my hurts with your sweetness. Lord I pray that you help me to carry on and to cast each and every one of my cares on you. I pray to walk in the fullness of your joy and I pray that others will seek you because of it. I pray that you renew my hope and that you teach me how to make lemonade, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

· Be encouraged today: There comes a time when you have to stop sipping on everyone else’s lemonade and make your own. I love Sara Jakes and so many others. I love the manifestations of what God has used them to do with their hurts, but both you and I have our own basket of lemons that we need to squeeze for God’s glory <3

Lemonade Ingredients:

(Water): Tears
(Lemon squeezer): Intense pressure

(Lemons): hurt, disappointment, fear, anxiety

(A lot of Sugar!): grace, mercy, love, hope, submission to the will of God!

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