The Lemon Principle

“If life hands you a lemon…make lemonade” or so the saying goes. But what if it wasn’t handed to you? What if it was shoved down your throat and no matter how hard you try, to get it out, put it in the pitcher and add some sugar, it’s still stuck there in a huge lump…seeds and all…and everything in your life now tastes sour and bitter. As one person recently said, “I’ve looked at the future and they are still sh***ing on me.” 

Every week that passes I meet more people and hear of more friends who are facing life changing situations, most brought on by circumstances out of their control. Sure they had choices along the way that ultimately led to where they are today, but those choices were made in good faith and most of the time after sincerely praying for God’s direction. With unemployment at nearly 10%, one in three homeowners under water on their mortgage, the global economy in trouble, it’s easy to join the gloom and doom crowd and throw up your hands in despair. Why bother? Which is why I’ve been pondering “The Lemon Principle”. How do you get from “sour” to the “ahhhhh” of a long cool refreshing drink of lemonade on a hot, sunny day? 

If you’re looking at me for answers, sorry. I don’t have them all. But I have been discovering some things in the past few months and weeks that have been amazingly helpful as I’m facing a new season in my life. 

Worrying really doesn’t change anything. The more I talk about it, vent about the injustices, scream, kick, cry, throw a tantrum – the more stressed I will become and when I calm down, nothing has changed. I’m leaning to realistically assess the things that are within my control to change and to work at directing positive energy toward them. The rest…well, it is what it is. 

Procrastination isn’t the answer either. Putting off the unpleasant only makes it more unpleasant because when I am finally forced to address the issue, it’s usually under increased pressure from an imposed deadline and I’m more inclined to make mistakes. 

“Time out” is critical. When a sports team finds themselves in an adverse and sometimes frantic scenario, they call a time-out. They come together, get a refreshing drink, talk about some needed adjustments and resume play. (Thanks JB – www. worshipers.net) But if you’re like me, it’s difficult to take a “time-out” when things are overwhelming, simply because keeping busy at least makes me FEEL like I’m accomplishing something. But I’m remembering that taking time to rest, relax and spend time in the Father’s presence is critical. I’m not talking about attending a church service or some other religious or spiritual event, but finding a place of solitude…just me and Him…heart to heart.

Take time to bury your dreams when they die. It’s ok. I don’t feel guilty for mourning the loss of a dream just like I would grieve for a loved one who has died. I’m not spending my time with regrets and “what ifs” – I can’t change the past – quite honestly, we’d probably end up making the same choices again without the information we have now.

But like the disciples did after Jesus died, prepare the spices and oils to preserve and honor the memories. Don’t make the mistake of isolating yourself. Enjoy good talks and take long walks with trusted friends. Although the disciples didn’t know it, Jesus was walking with them while they walked and talked. When we dream with God, even in burial, our dreams are not lost, they are planted. (John 12:24) In fact, some of our dreams are sown for future generations to reap. God never forgets buried dreams. (excerpt from Sitting in God’s Sunshine, Resting in His Love by Alicia Britt Chole). 

(Does anyone besides me see a pattern here? Taking TIME at a time when things are in upheaval is usually the antithesis of my thought process.) 

Finally, consider your “ordeal”. Is it possible that God is trying to break us free from traditions that misrepresent Him? I was amazed when I came across this concept the other day in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Although I’ve read this devotional book for years, I’ve never seen this in this light before. But then again, I’ve never walked this path before either. 

Abraham interpreted God’s command that he should kill Isaac…not just his son, but his promised son…his dream. He was sincere in his belief that this was God’s requirement to prove his faith and love for Him and he was prepared to do anything for God. And if he would have been a follower of his convictions, he would have killed Isaac and said that the voice of the angel was the voice of the devil. But Abraham’s heart followed God and God was trying to show him that this concept was not His true nature. He will never ask us to “kill” what He has given us because we “love it too much”. But if we sincerely seek relationship with Him, He will allow us to go through painful circumstances that bring us into a more intimate understanding of who He really is and His love for us. 

Matthew 15:6 So for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect]. 

I’ve lived my entire life believing that people who love God with all their heart, who tithe 10% of their income and give offerings cheerfully will be financially blessed and “exempt” from financial disaster. They might experience some difficult times, but if they continued to tithe, God would make sure they would escape the worst possible scenario – bankruptcy. (And although I probably wouldn’t have admitted it, I believed that if this “principle” didn’t work, it was the fault of the person affected. They just didn’t “love God enough or give enough or read the Bible enough, or pray enough, or trust God enough or go to church enough or ….. enough.) 

Much to my chagrin, I realized my pharisaical attitude in this area, when we found ourselves in exactly that situation. At first we second-guessed everything that brought us to this point. And yet in retrospect, although there were mistakes that were made, the decisions were made in good faith and with much prayer. And there were certainly many circumstances beyond our control that affected us tremendously. 

But we were “givers”! God brought this dream to us. How could this happen? Like Abraham, our faith is being refined. We are being freed from the trap of performance in our efforts to receive God’s blessing and favor. I can say with assurance that we have His favor, He is faithful to meet our needs and our relationship with Him is stronger than ever. And by most people’s standards, I’m “doing” less than I ever have. 

So back to the beginning…how did I get from that bitter lemon to refreshing lemonade? I took a “rest”, spent a lot of time with my “best Friend”, then I added “honey”! 

Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. 

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. 

Exodus 33:14 4And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. 

Psalm :119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth 

He is ENOUGH!