Life and Lemons

Many years ago, while I was feeling sorry for myself and everything seemed to be going downhill, a friend of mine offered up a little bit of wisdom that I have since taken with me through life and its pitfalls. She said, "Laura, when life serves you lemons, just add a little sugar and make lemonade."

It seems that as long as everything is going smoothly along the road of life, people are happy. But, the minute they hit a pothole, they sound like my dog Sugar, "the drama queen", it's all about me, and poor pitiful me. However, something seems to escape all of these people who cry about every little set back, "There is always someone else who is worse than you are." Not only that, but many times we cause our own setbacks, it's just we aren't prepared to take the consequences for our actions--good or bad.

I know some people who never smile; they never say hello without going through a litany of so many problems and reasons why they are depressed that it would send you searching for a knife to slit your own throat. What is up with that? Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that we all make our own beds, now whether that bed is plush goose-down or a pile of hard rocks is up to us. You bring problems into your life when you let life run you.

As a Christian, I know worrying is a sin because Philippians 4:6 tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, (don't worry); but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
So, once I learned to put everything in God's hands, praying and studying his word daily, I don't sweat the small stuff, and I don't sweat the big stuff either, because I know all I have to do is turn it over to God, and he'll handle it for me without a fee and interest.

Now, if you are not a believer, I'll pray for you, but, the lesson is still the same. When you invite negativity into your life, you will have it. When you repeat something over and over enough times, you'll soon believe it. So, if you keep repeating to others how depressed your life is every time you see them, not only will you notice people going the opposite direction when they see you, but your life will continue being depressing. However, when you sit down and think about what you want out of life, then start working toward that goal you've set, it's amazing how life takes on a whole new meaning. You then begin to run your life, rather than the other way around. If by chance you hit a little hiccup, don't worry about it. I Peter 5:6-7 states: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care (anxieties and worries) upon him; for he cares for you.

I remember something my dad said to me while on the way home from visiting my mom in the hospital. By the way, the reason she was there was because she had a heart attack after seeing a friend of my dad's crushed under a forklift, while he and my dad were working on it. See a reason for depression here? But, when I asked him if he was all right, my dad, the great man that he is, looked at me and said, "It's just another bump in the road, Baby Daughter, and we'll get over it."

So sure, I'm not rich among some standards, but I'm rich in many other ways. I've seen the down side of life, and believe me, I've had to start over with nothing but the clothes on my back many times. I've seen a time when all I had in the cabinet was a bag of beans and twenty-six cents in my bank account with a week to go until payday. I've been there and bought so many t-shirts and cups that I could start my own store of misery, but dwelling on the past does no good. It's living in the present and preparing for the future that changes your life tomorrow.

We all make our own decisions, and we have to be prepared for the consequences of those decisions. Do you purchase that fancy tv and risk getting behind in a car or house payment, or do you watch that little portable for a while longer until you can afford the fancy one? It's your choice today, and no one's fault but your own if you make the wrong one. So, as a friend once told me when life serves up that bag full of sour lemons, look for that little cup of sweet sugary happiness and whip up a big batch of refreshing lemonade. Then share a glass, along with the recipe, with someone else who could use it. Remember, blessings are meant to be shared and not kept to yourself.