Monday, February 20, 2017

When life gives you lemons

Ever heard that saying, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade"?  Or better, yet, my favorite one, "when life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand chocolate".  Yep, I will always say yes to chocolate.

There I was, four days after a doctor's appointment, hearing the words, "Yes, she tested positive for flu."  I wasn't surprised.  I was, in fact, the one who requested the test.  Seeing a loved one sick, though, does feel like receiving lemons when you want chocolate.

Social media was full of proclamations of sickness.  It was that "time of year", after all.  I wanted to post about daughter being added to the list of those who succumbed to the virus.  Look at me, my child is sick too.  I mean others were posting and requesting prayer, so it's okay.  Right?  Before you hound me about that, I love that we can turn to others via social media for prayer....in fact, my husband and I have founded a ministry that connecting in prayer through social media is a vital part of.

However, in this case, once again, I felt God leading me to another outlet.  If I just posted about my daughter having flu on social media, who would it benefit?  First of all, me--I would receive prayer and condolences.  Secondly, her--because she too would receive prayer.  Both of which are good, in and of themselves.  But, the one reading my post? Would he or she benefit? No.

So, I came to this blog.  You see, we as Christians are called to something higher.  People need to hear more about our God, than our problems.  Yes, my daughter has the flu.  But, my God is bigger.

When life gives you lemons, don't throw them back.  There's someone watching you who would gladly take your lemons.  There's someone fighting cancer when you're complaining of the flu. There's a barren person who would gladly take the child that you say takes too much of your "me time".  There's someone who would gladly walk in your shoes, imperfections and all.

So, here comes the heavy part.  You only thought it was getting deep before.  What about those lemons that are heavy to carry?  The loved ones that don't get healed?  The prayers that don't get answered?

Yes, I've had those too. I've watched my grandmother NOT get healed from cancer.  I've NOT gotten the job that I thought I wanted.  But, as a Christian, I need others to know that God is still great.  He is still on the throne.  He is still almighty, even when those lemons start to make life taste sour.

Often we hear, God will not give you more than you can handle.  This isn't true at all.  I believe this misunderstanding comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13, "...God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (KJV).  I think it's saying that God will help you.  He needs to be the One you turn to when things become more than you can handle.  The NIV version says that "He will provide a way out so that you can endure it."  Endure.  This means that you'll have to go through it, but you will get through it.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

That said His burden, not ours.  So, when life gives you lemons, cherish them, but don't hold on to them.  Give them to Jesus.





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