Lemon Wedges and Sugar Packets



Dad and me celebrating his 80th birthday, April 2011

"'... And try Me now in this,' says the LORD of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.'"  Malachi 3:10b 

My Dad has the unique habit of making lemonade at restaurants.  He does not order a lemonade, he makes it with the resources available at his table. Typically, a lemon wedge garnish arrives in each water glass, and before the waiter can say, "May I take your order?" he has already grabbed a mini bag of sugar and is intently concocting his chalice of personal refreshment before our very eyes.



A memory I treasure involves a visit with my parents.  We met at a restaurant, and our waitress graciously seated us before delivering water glasses complete with lemony adornments. After sharing an unusual memory from her childhood, our waitress asked if we would like anything else to drink. I tried to look busy with my menu while my Dad smiled at the lady, "I need some sugar, please ... to make lemonade."

Honestly, I can't say that I have ever gotten used to this ritual, even though it has become a family tradition.  I half expected the seven-months-pregnant waitress to toss a meager bag of sweetener my dad's direction with a snear of disgust.  But, no.  My eyes grew wide with wonder as our angelic hostess brought my dad not just one sugar packet, but a bowl full of sugar packets, and in another bowl a veritable mountain of lemon wedges (at least eight)!  Dad was ecstatic while Mom handled her shock in a most gracious manner.



This reminds me of God's lavish lovingkindness toward us.  We eventually get around to asking God for help (sometimes as a last resort).  And what does God do?  Does He toss us a lame little sugar packet with a scowl on His face?  No way!  God delights in meeting every need, heaping upon us His powerful resources and sweet comfort to strengthen us along the way.  All we need to do is ask.  And, of course, the tab is on Him.

P.S.  After the meal, my Dad generously ordered a giant hot fudge sundae for us to share, just to say, "I love you!"  Thanks, Dad - I love you, too!

^"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive,

that your joy may be full." John 16:24

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Prescription for Pre-Holiday Stress

 

Are you multi-tasking at the moment? Wondering how you are going to get everything done before the guests arrive or you pack up to head out of town?



1. Stop, as soon as you can (please do NOT let the boiling pot burn down your house, and DO help Johny's boo-boo).



2. Go get a piece of paper (check the garbage can - the piece must be bigger than a gum wrapper).



3. Grab a pencil or pen (the only thing I could find near the computer this morning was an orange highlighter ... it worked just fine).



4. Number your paper down the side as far as you can.



5. Next to each number write down a blessing. At first it might be like a slight sprinkle, but soon you'll get warmed up and it will develop into a steady rain, maybe even a down-pour. You're doing great!



6. Now that you're warmed up, write down what is troubling your spirit today. It could be sickness, a broken dishwasher, the prospect of facing the holidays without a certain loved one this year, disappointment, rejection, loneliness, financial woes, exhaustion, worries about how the family is going to "get along" this Thanksgiving ... anything that causes your heart to ache, tears to fall, or your fist to want to hit the wall.



7. Now, give the list to God. Pray through the list, thanking Him. If it seems impossible to thank God sincerely for the trial you are facing, ask Him for strength to thank Him. God can use even "bad" blessings, things that tear us apart, for good.



If our lives were perfect, why would we need Him? And who would want to listen to us if we haven't been blown about by life's turbulance? People cannot know what we believe is real until they see it tested by time and trials.



8. Let God lift your spirit in full assurance that He knows and loves you, while He offers you His presence and supply through anything and everything, 24/7/365!

"Even there _______________________ Your hand shall lead me,

and Your right hand shall hold me." Psalm 139:10

The fill-in-the-blank line was added by me. There is room on that line for whatever is on your heart, dear Friend. If you follow this recipe once, it should greatly help you during the hurry and scurry of this holiday season. If once isn't enough, reapply daily as needed! Happy Holidays!

P.S. Read Psalm 103



To learn more about thanks-living, read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.



Image courtesy of http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/

My Testimony



The cemetary went on and on.  I couldn't take my eyes off it as my sister and I drove by all those tombstones on our way to Grandpa and Grandma's house.  All those people died. A few minutes earlier I had waved a tearful good-bye to my parents at the airport.  Alarmed to see them leave for vacation, fear ruled my heart.  Old stones with words on them made things scarier.

Susan, seeing my despair, tried comforting me.  "Sara, the worst thing that could happen is that they would die.  But, then they would go to be with God."  Well, that didn't sound too bad.  Of course I would miss them terribly, but I knew they would be safe and happy.

I could die . . . like those people. Will I go to heaven to be with God, like Mom and Dad?

As the evening wore on, I felt worse and worse as God's Holy Spirit graciously convicted me of sin.  I thought about verses my sister had shared with me:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  I John 1:9

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."  Romans 6:23

"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."  I John 5:12-13

Even as a young child, I knew this was the most important decision of my life.  I could no longer refuse His offer of grace and forgiveness.  It were as though Jesus stood before me with arms open wide, waiting to give me a BIG hug (and hold on tight forever).

In Grandma's bedroom, I tearfully admitted my sin and need for Him. I told Him I believed Jesus is God and that He gave His life for me, paying for my sin.  I believed in Him and wanted to follow Him the rest of my life. Suddenly, like rain in the desert, a refreshing peace washed over me.  I was no longer a slave of Satan, sin and myself.  God had brought me from death to life: I had become His child!  A new creation.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Clear as a cloudless blue sky I remember that day so many years ago.  Less than two months before my fourth birthday, the seeds of truth faithfully planted at home and church were taking root.  Being born into a Christian family didn't make me a Christian.  God gave me the opportunity to hear and choose.  God gave me the gift of life, and He wants to give you the same gift!  Are you going to let the seeds God is planting bloom in your life?

Are you are a believer, but lately you have been taking God for granted? It's an easy thing to do - something we all struggle with.  Let's stop for a moment right now and remember all God has done for us.



If you have any questions, I'd love to talk with you:  saraleighanne@juno.com

About three years after I began my adventure with God

Coincidence vs. Sovereignty

West End Architectural Salvage ... When my sister said we were beginning our day-long celebration of our mom and dad's 60th anniversary at a coffee shop by that name, I was hesitant.  It turned out to be an interesting place!  Located in a huge old building, it is a mixture of antique shop, museum, and coffee haven. 



While walking around to marvel at the ancient relics scattered high and low, I noticed a lady had come around the corner at the end of the hallway.  When I looked at her I was shocked to see Julie, my next door neighbor!  Here we were, more than two hours away from our homes, running into each other at this unique place.  She was equally surprised, and we had a nice little chat before she left to go shopping with her daughter.



After finishing our cozy hot chocolate and chai, we continued with our party to a fabulous little museum called Iowa Hall of Pride, and next to a 50's diner, hearkening back to the time when my parents were first married.



Before we took a tour of places where my parents had grown up, met, and the church where they were married, we stopped at a small grocery store in the middle of an old neighborhood.  We all dispersed to follow our interests, and since I'm not much of a shopper, I quickly made my purchases and then wandered out to enjoy the sunshine while I waited.



When my sister walked out with a smile on her face, I couldn't believe it when she said, "My neighbor is inside!" Sharon's next door neighbor, over an hour away from their hometown, was at the same store at the same time we were.  It was fun to go back in to meet the sweet Japanese lady and her family.



What are the chances?  What are the odds that both my sister and I would see our next door neighbors, on the same day, so far from home?  Even if we had scheduled seeing them, it couldn't have turned out this smoothly.  Timing and place in perfect synchronization. 



Why?  It's not that we had earth-moving conversations with our neighbors, whom we are trying to reach with the love of God.  Perhaps God arranged these appointments to remind us that ...



1.  He is in charge of our appointments, ones we know about and the ones that surprise us.

2.  He can arrange any combination of scenarios because He is God and He is working out a plan.

3.  He is always watching us, and other people are, too. 



Today I am thankful for these reminders, and it makes me look forward with a perspective of ...



1.  Anticipation:  I wonder what God is going to do next!

2.  Accountability:  I had better make sure I am right with God, because He is always watching me, and others should see Christ through me.

3.  Preparation:  I had better be prepared for whatever God has in store.  I need to be ready to encourage, share hope, edify, and shine for Him wherever I go.



Coincidence?  Nope.  My God is sovereign.

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth ... all things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist... that in all things He may have the preeminience."

Colossians 1:17-18

Together 60 Years!

Today my family celebrated my parents' 60th wedding anniversary.  They were married on November 3, 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa.  Our day was spent reliving memories, driving around their old neighborhoods, hearing stories, visiting the Iowa Hall of Pride museum, eating at a 50's diner, enjoying each other.  It was a day to remember!



Sixty years seems like a long time, but they say they don't know where the time went.  It seems unreal that they are knocking on eighty, because it wasn't long ago that they were young and in love.  I'm happy to report that they are still in love.



Mom

My Mom is almost always smiling.  As a kid it would irritate me, along with her contant humming, but now I am refreshed by her spirit of joy!  I see in her a woman who has been faithful to her man through ups and downs.

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as to the Lord." Ephesians 5:22

She is submissive!  Sometimes I have encouraged her to speak up for herself in certain situations, but she usually chooses to quietly pray about matters instead.  I am thankful for a mother who smiles with her eyes, voice (over the phone), lips and heart.  She is an example of a faithful wife and prayer warrior.



Dad

My Dad sold three pigs to buy my mom's ring, and they had a short engagement because he was drafted into the army.  Although he didn't end up going over to Korea, there were many stressful moments related to his service to America.



In my Dad I see a man who has taken care of his wife and loves her more than he did when he married her. 

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and

gave Himself for her..."  Ephesians 5:25

My Dad claims that my Mom proposed to him.  His teasing is accompanied by eyes sparkling with fun.  My Mom groans with a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. She's heard this story a hundred times.  Today we got "the rest of the story" on video.  The truth seems to be in the middle: they shopped for rings together, but he wasn't formal in giving her the ring, so she nudged him a bit, "Aren't you forgetting something?" 



I count myself extremely blessed to have parents who have stayed married for 60 years. Thank you, Mom and Dad!