Lemonade
The time was 3:30 AM. My husband had just crawled out of bed to start his day by de-spidering the exterior of our house in preparation for a women's event being held at Shiloh that evening. I made the mistake of opening my eyes and getting up to use the bathroom. That is when my brain shot into the overwhelming thoughts that come with realizing summer is almost over. "Lawsie, lawsie, we have so much ahead of us the next nine months."
As my husband passed through the bedroom, I said, "I can't do this anymore. We need to recognize. We are old!" Whew! My mind drifted back 22 years when I exclaimed those very same words to the Lord. His reply was "You aren't supposed to do this. I am the one who will do this." We tend to go in our own power, not God's.
The theme I had selected for the ministry event that particular evening was...
When life gives you lemons, look to God. He will provide lemonade.
Most of the details for the dinner were laid out. Tables set, song sheets and outlines printed, but God obviously had more for me on this topic. Opening my emails I found a devotional from Faithgateway.Com. This particular entry was from the book Devotions for Grandma by Zondervan Publishing.
Below the devotional was this list. The overwhelming love of God poured over me.
I knew without a doubt these verses were to be printed off and passed out to be read by the women coming to the event.
God’s Word For You Grandma
Just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. — 2 Corinthians 1:5
Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. — Romans 8:18
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. — Romans 5:3–4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. — James 1:2–3
For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. — 2 Corinthians 12:10
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. — Psalms 34:19
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. — James 1:12
You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. — Isaiah 25:4
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. — Romans 8:26
In the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. — Psalm 27:5
You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. — Psalm 61:3–4
All my longings lie open before You, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you... Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. — Psalm 38:9, 22
The Song
“Lord I Need You” Matt Maher
