Life has thrown a few lemons into our lives. Some are very very bitter and sour!
Even as I am writing this column, Ruth and I are in the process of making some lemonade from those awfully sour lemons. Over the years, since we have collected some recipes, I would like to share with you “How to make cool lemonade out of those sour and bitter lemons life dumps on you.
First, we ask WHAT rather than WHY...
Once we start asking, "Why Lord? Why is this happening to us", then we go into blame mode. We blame God. We blame the people involved. We blame the difficult situations. The lemons get more bitter and more sour. So it is better to ask “What Lord? What can we learn from this” Then we can gain energy to cope.
Second, we have a 100 year law...
We try to look ahead 100 years from now. 100 years later, are we still going to struggle with this same problem? Most likely not... No absolutely not! No matter how big the problem is: it too shall pass with time.
Third, find humor in them while we are squeezing the lemons. When we found out Ruth would need a tummy tuck for reconstructive surgery, even though she was struggling with the terrible pain after the mastectomy, she said "Yea! tummy tuck, no more 똥배. I am going to be forever sexy!" We had a real good laugh.
Last, remember God's rich truth often comes in a beggar's cloth. Initially when they show up at our door, we used to slam the door on their faces. But now we may not eagerly welcome them, but at least we let them in even though they stink horribly. You see, slowly as they shed their stink they actually turn into something valuable and wonderful.
My dear NCFC family, since we have this truly unexpected lemon thrown in midst of our lives, it left a strong sour and bitter taste in all our hearts. However let us just not taste bitter and sour lemon. Let us cut it, and squeeze it. Then add some sugar to make delicious lemonade to refresh our souls and enrich lives.
From Pastor Daniel’s Heart
July 7, 2013