Lemonade

The photo was sent by text and Molly and I jumped at the opportunity to see the set up in person.  A friend had given Catherine and William a joint present and it was a cardboard lemonade stand that they had to color.  The project took days and finally it was launched on their front sidewalk yesterday.  Lemonade 25 cents. They had their filled pitcher, the ice, the cups and a pretty big money bag, and now all they needed was customers.  Molly and I were one of the first.  Then I got a call from a friend who had stopped by wondering where I was, and I told her around the corner at a lemonade stand.  She said I will be there in a couple of minutes and sure enough she came thirsty and bearing payment....this was to be their first bill.  

And there we stood in the street just talking as the kids continued to readjust their set up. This was the simple old time way of summer.  

And what a delight to have an unexpected surprise drop by from a friend.  We covered a lot of ground in our visit, for it had been weeks since we had talked. We talked of summer plans and kids and the conversation moved on to relationships.  And she made a statement that holds so true, she said people come into our lives for a reason, a season or sometimes even a lifetime.  She recently lost her husband, and stands today as one of my greatest witnesses of faithfulness and positive thinking.  Sure she has had her down in the pit days, but she continues to emerge from those times in faithfulness knowing that God knows what he is doing, and he will continue to give her the strength, the wisdom and the opportunities to move forward.  I use that word opportunities because that is what she expressed when she spoke of people who have reached out and invitations that she has accepted. She explained that this is her life now...and she has chosen to embrace the opportunities that come her way.   It takes a lot of courage to make adjustments, big adjustments such as the ones she is faced with, but everyday, even as little as she is, she has chosen to live big in heart and in faith.  

When she spoke of relationships, and quoted one of her favorite sayings about people coming into your life for a reason, season or sometimes even a lifetime, it was clear that that is the way she viewed the people who God has allowed to come into her life,  whether it is friends, family or acquaintances. I don't know about you but I am often times anxious about relationships.  We all want to be liked and loved and invited into lives of people who we have selected, but God sees a whole picture and many times puts people into our lives for reasons that we may never know.  Maybe through them we will have a glimpse of something that God wants us to be aware of, or maybe being around them is teaching us empathy or appreciation for what we have been given. But I too am convinced that the people who cross out paths are not put there by accident.  God has a purpose for every life that he touches and nudges and every relationship no matter how long or short the season is. And what lingers, is a love, a moment, a basket of overflowing memories, an opportunity and a personal involvement that touches us by way of God's purposes.

It was just a lemonade stand but it was a reminder that it only takes time, nothing fussy, or over the top to stop and enjoy the blessings of a good visit with a sweet friend.  And this time we had some precious lemonade vendors to not only serve lemonade but provide a little entertainment on the side. There is nothing cuter than two little tykes waiting anxiously for their next customer. Jennifer stood in the yard swinging the baby, Molly found a busy job inside, and all was well for this moment in time.  I told the kids that I solicited some business by telling my friend to come by, and soon after, the request was made for me to call more friends.  I should have! 

About valuing others:  

Philippians 2:1-4 

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

About opportunities:

Colossians 4:5
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity 

About tough relationships:

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

About loving others:

John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

Dear Lord, thank you for the days of summer.  Even though it is hot outside, the opportunities that you provide are cool in the face of friendship. Amen                       

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!