When life gives you lemons...

When life gives you lemons—make lemonade!

It does sound a little Pollyanna, however it is a zestful way to put a twist on a sour situation especially if life puts the squeeze on you and leaves you with a sour, acidic aftertaste.

Life is not always sweet. Life is not always easy. In fact, life can be hard.

I do love lemons for their tartness.
I enjoy eating lemon slices and lemonade is very refreshing especially on a warm summer’s day.

But--I do not love --or even like-- when life gives me a lemon.
Have you ever had a cut on your hand that you had forgotten about until you sliced a lemon…
and the acidic juice burned your wound?

Sometimes life can be like that. And making lemonade will not make everything better.

Life can be sour and life can be hard, however, God is always good.

Years ago, when Dave & I were on a bus tour in Jamaica the bus driver shouted in a sing song way~
‘God is good!’ and the locals on the bus, responded ‘All the time!’.
Then the bus driver repeated, ‘All the time!’
and Dave & I joined in with the locals in chanting the refrain, ‘God is good!’

This is a true statement. ‘God IS good, ALL the time. And All the time, God IS Good.’

Sour circumstances. Unsweeted situations. Soured relationships.
These events and experiences do not alter the truth by even one drop of lemon juice—that God IS good.

When I first embraced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,
I’ll admit that I was naïve and thought that my life would be a bowl of cherries.
However, God’s Word never promises that…if anything…quite the opposite.
It wasn’t long before lemon juice was squirted into my naivety. And it stung!

Yet, God remains good.
Even in heartache. God is good.
Loss of a loved one. God is good.
9/11. God is good.
Chronic pain. God is good.
Sour relationships. God is good.
Terminal diagnosis. God is good.
Bad news. God is good.
Broken promises. God is good.
Unfulfilled plans. God is good.
Failing health. God is good.
Hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis’. God is good.
(Fill in your own acidic circumstance).  God is good.   All the time.

Believe me I would wish for myself and also for you….a life filled with all sweet and no sour.

Yet life is a mixed bowl of fruit---of sweet and sour.

So, when life gives you lemons ~’taste and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalms 34:8a) ~and savour the sweet truth that ‘…in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him…’ (Romans 8:28)

Wendy’s Witz-dom:

When life gives you lemons don’t let it sour you on the truth about God.
God IS good ALL the time, ALL the time, God IS good!

God’s Wisdom:

‘I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.’ (Jeremiah 29:11)


©WitzEnd Writings

Labor Day...A Day of Rest!

For over 100 years Labor Day has been a’ workingmen's holiday"


Though the holiday is called Labor Day it is a day to rest, relax, and not work or labor. And since, Labor Day is always observed on the first Monday of the month of September, it affords us a long weekend.

For all --a break between summer and fall. For many-- one last vacation to take before schools begin their fall session. For some—a day to catch up on—what?!—work!

No matter the plans or lack of plans on this day, it has been designated as a day to rest from your labor.

R & R…i.e. rest and relaxation has a variety of manifestations. For some It could be sleeping , or relaxing poolside, For others picnicking, gardening, bike riding, reading , boating, or golfing, etc…………….. Resting includes any activity that does not imply work, but instead leisure.

I don’t know about you but I need breaks throughout my ‘work days’..to refresh…and to refuel. Even, my ‘workaholic- husband eventually reaches a point when he needs to put aside his work and relax, though not as frequently as I do. David loves what he does, so he does what he loves, almost 24/7! However, as much as he works & as hard as he works, he also plays hard. R & R for him is spending time with family or playing with our grand-doggy! Though, his ultimate relaxation is just watching movies, especially with his sons.

‘Rest’ is described in the dictionary as to’ stop working or moving in order to relax or recover strength.’ Therefore, rest is essential for our bodies. And rest does not just imply sleep, though it is recommended that our bodies need at least 8 hours of sleep a day to function at its optimum. Even, our muscles need physical rest between work outs to build strength.

However, we don’t have to be doing physical labor to tire. Our minds also need to relax to be refreshed as situations and circumstances of ‘just living’ life can drain us our energy. In addition, worrying can exhaust us emotionally.

We all just need to take a break. Chill out. Slow down…come to a full stop…let our body’s engine idle.

And what better day to be reminded to enjoy some R & R…than on Labor Day aka a day of relaxation.

We are in great company when we take a rest …’He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.’ (Genesis chapter2:verse3b)

And the same God that rested…encourages us to rest, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Physical rest: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28a)

Emotional Rest: ‘Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you.’(1 Peter 5:7)

Spiritual Rest: ‘Take my yoke upon you…and you will find rest for your souls.’(Matthew 11:29)

Take the time to enjoy your day of non-labor. Rest and relax! Refresh & Refuel!

Wendy’s Witz-dom:

If we do not get the rest we need, we will find ourselves feeling resentment in our work, home life and relationships. So remove the extras and just rest so that resentment doesn’t build up.

                                 RES entmen T.

God’s Wisdom:

‘…I will give you rest.’ (Matthew11:28c)

©WitzendWritings

*All bible verses are from the New International Version of the Bible.