When Life Hands You Lemons

Isn't it a pain sometimes that our weaknesses and difficulties are just what we need to endure to help us figure out that we are not GOD...and to allow HIM to move and show Himself to us in HIS strength and for HIS glory? Isn't it tempting to want to run away from the painful issue or frustrating circumstance if at all possible... instead of letting God work in it and through it and make something beautiful out of it?  I have still been struggling with my voice....and it is one of those things for me that is so obvious, you know.  Almost everyone who knows me knows I sing and so I get asked about my voice all the time.  Now that I have missed more than a few Sundays helping lead worship at church....it is an issue that is no longer a secret...isn't that an interesting moment when you realize your struggle probably will not remain a personal issue...and so, you determine to allow others (and sometimes many others) to pray for you in specific ways.  I don't know why that always makes me feel so vulnerable....maybe it is a pride issue....but, I don't usually like letting a lot of people know about my difficulties.  I am one of those people who likes to wait it out on my own with as few people as possible "in the know."

Ever thought about this from the perspective of the lemon? :)  Poor little lemon...

I'm sorry you got me :P  HA!  What if the lemon thinks I'm "a lemon"? WEIRD!

However, once I am over that vulnerability issue and know that God can work with me best when I am completely humble and dependent on HIM....it is such a blessing to know that so many people care for me and are praying for me.  Here's the thing I often think about in moments of despair or loss, hurt or sorrow....I think, "do I really agree with the verse in Job 1:21....when it says, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.....blessed be the name of the Lord."  That seems so "matter of fact" sometimes and it's like I agree with it as a fact, but it is not so easy to have a joyful heart of praise in the times of hardship...especially when there is something you have always been able to do that you can no longer do.  I think we tend to start thinking of these things in terms of us being the owners of them, you know....like I thought I was the owner of my singing voice....and really I am just the manager.  God is always the OWNER and it is HIS absolute right and authority to make any changes HE wishes to the way talents (or other things) are managed.  I guess I don't always have to like my circumstances, but I have to acknowledge that HE is sovereign and absolutely good and then I just have to trust HIM and wait for HIM work....and I have to resist the temptation to tell HIM how to do HIS job.  I think that is part of how to praise HIM in the middle of a trial.

What have you learned?  Has God shown you any of HIS secret ingredients for the best lemonade?