WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS...

Wait what ?! 🍋

Trust me, I believe in turning lemons into lemonade because life sure does deal the lemons. So let me explain by telling a story that may make me sound petty. But, I am imperfectly real & human. And that means I mess up! But sometimes through those small moments & mess-ups, God teaches us the biggest lessons.

Let me explain...

🍋For the past 8 years, I have started every single morning drinking lemon water. Well, one June morning I woke up & realized that I HAD NONE & no time before work to go to the store. My husband had told me the day before that he would get it during the day. However, he forgot.

I can’t lie. It stole my peace. Let me rephrase that: I allowed it to steal my peace & I “lost my lemons”... I mean marbles.

I started to think of it all: “I always set up breakfast for everyone before I leave for work... I make sure the lunches are made... the snacks are packed... I do this... I do that ...& all I asked for was a lemon!”

So, I went to work bitter, but fought through the feelings & prayed for my heart to soften. It was right then that “My Jesus” by @annewilsonmusic came on the radio. It prompted my stubborn self to pray even more. And so I did. And the bitterness got lighter as it reminded me of Who I needed to rely more on.

Isn’t life like that? The small things can build up and UP into HUGE ones. The enemy can use it to divide us deeper, BUT GOD... He can use it to humble us and grow us stronger.

🍋Then, a dear friend walked by me in the hallway. As I made a joke to her about the lemon, I paused and a realization came over me.

🍋I don’t NEED the lemon, I NEED GOD!

🍋I need to surrender ALL the areas of my life to Him.

🍋I need to depend more on God with EVERYTHING.

🍋 That is when my friend said with a smile, “We won’t be bringing any lemons to Heaven.”

~ So I repent.

~ So I soften.

~ So, I apologize & I forgive.

~ And I allow peace to fill my heart & some laughter too.

So even though I continue to drink lemon water each morning, I am drinking it differently now because ...

🍋 When life gives us lemons, sure, let’s make some lemonade but may we remember ...

... We bring neither, and nothing to Heaven.