Life. It often gives us lemons, does it not? Forever we have heard the cliche'...
"when life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
It's a proverbial phrase. It's purpose is to encourage an "I can do it" sort of mentality when the going gets tough. Finding the sweet in a sour situation.
But what happens when you run out of lemonade?
I spent the weekend with my two oldest girls and a friend at an outdoor country music concert in Michigan. {{ Side note? We had a blast. }} Anyway....at one point I actually laughed out loud, and then hoped none of the 40,000 people around me noticed. After standing in line - not once, but twice - to refill my daughters fresh-squeezed-lemonade we arrived at the front of the line to be told, "I'm sorry, we are out of lemonade."
To me...THIS was funny.
Why?
Because in the last 9 months we have been pounded by lemons. I've been squeezing those things and mixing up batches of lemonade like crazy. If you can make it with a lemon, I've done it.
But what happens when you run out of lemonade?
That's kind of where I am right now.
Last summer our world turned upside down. Mid August we found out we were moving to Indiana. We moved within a couple weeks. We told the kids to pack for three months to live in a tiny rental home until we can find a home of our own.
New school. New friends. New church.
New. New. New. Lemon. Lemon. Lemon.
Ten months later.
We bought a home.
Lemon. We can't move into the end of July.
Lemon. We have to move out of our rental home this week.
Lemon. NEW rental home has no air conditioning. And no laundry facilities.
Seriously? I'm out of lemonade.
I've squeezed and squeezed...but there isn't a drop of lemon juice. I have nothing. Empty.
Right now nothing seems to matter but getting through these next 8 weeks.
Eight.
Fifty-six days.
One-thousand-three-hundred-and-forty-four hours.
My brain is mush.
So please forgive me if the jewelry and the blogging gets a bit sporadic.
Eight weeks.
Will you stay with me?
Will you support me?
Will you be MY listening ear?
Do I dare ask YOU for encouragement?
And hey, if you have any ideas for dried up lemons I'd be all over it!
In the meantime, I'm going to go mix up the "we-are-on-a-new-adventure-Kool-Aid" for my family.
Because...
I DO believe there is a higher plan.
I DO have so much to be thankful for.
I DO know this is minor in the great scheme.
I don't even like lemonade any more.
So here is to the Kool-Aid. CHEERS!
love you to pieces,
lisa
You can do it, Lisa! It's just 8 weeks. That's nothing in the grand scheme of things. It's summer, so there's heaps of fun to be had out in the sunshine. (Just remember the sunscreen!) As for dried lemons, use the rinds to hold raspberry sorbet. Yum!
ReplyDeleteLove, hugs, encouragement, hope and happy thoughts!!!!!
P.S. Now there's even less time to wait than when you wrote this post.
P.P.S. There's also less time to wait than when you started reading this comment. Time's flying by!
xoxo
DeleteSometimes those Lemons are just to sour! Keep your head up hug your children, husband and pets (if you have any) and be thankful they are all safe! You will get through all the other stuff together in no time at all!!! I hope things are better soon!! Cheryl
ReplyDeleteyou are so right!!! thank you!
DeleteThinking about you and the family, my friend. I know all about that lemon and lemonade thing you are dealing with. I like to believe that God is going to give you all tons of sugar to make some of the sweetest lemonade. Keep your spirits up and reach out when you need it. Lots of love.
ReplyDeleteyou're a gem. thank you!
DeleteHaving to endure 56 days of a rental will be challenging at times BUT Remember this - YOU are LOVED. And there could be no better season to be "Challenged". It's the Summer - Time to take some road trips and visit friends, Bring your wash to a friends house and catch up while the loads get done, Wash away your anxiety by putting your toes in the Sand.(Just a few things to make you smile) And hey - Portable Air Conditioners are cheap these days. If all else fails, Bring the Family to New Jersey.
ReplyDeleteOh...and those dried up lemons....they make great potpourri for a new home. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Stay Strong my friend.
xoxoxo
DeleteSome of the funniest stuff in the world comes from lemons...the stuff you'll look back at someday and just laugh. Right now you might not be laughing but if nothing else it makes for really great writing material (says the girl who once had bumper crop of lemons)...hang in there, lady!
ReplyDeletea to the men! ;)
DeleteHang in there, friend! You are awesome and everything will be ok in the end :-) xoxo
ReplyDeletethanks love. just drinkin the kool-aid!!
DeleteI can empathize. Hugs and prayers.
ReplyDeleteLisa - You can't begin to know how relevant this post is to me right now. We need to get together girl! Have you and Jon gotten new phones? I have text both of you and received a response from neither. Lmk. Btw...you can do it! Love and prayers - Staci
ReplyDeleteyou MUST have the wrong number!! we haven't changed!
DeleteGirl, my heart is with you. It's been all up hill for us for the past three years (and well, before that too). I'm just weary. The hills are killing me. Some days I just feel like running away. I feel like I'm spinning plates and doing nothing well. Just too much. I feel so discouraged that my gift of encouragement feels dried up. Yet I will rejoice in The LORD. When all is barren, when our hard work produces no fruit, when there is no meat on the table, when God's blessings seem too far to grasp, I take hold of Him and I must know that He still holds me. And never lets go.
ReplyDeleteso very true. thank you friend!
DeleteHang in there...No laundry? At least it's summer and the clothes are smaller ;o)Not a perfect situation by any means, but remember, 'higher plan'.xoxo
ReplyDeletelol. you are so right! xo
DeleteJust think of all the fodder for wedding toasts though... "Remember that summer when we...."
ReplyDeleteBuy a subscription to the YMCA or something. I love you. Hang in there.
lol. that's the best thought ever! :) thank you!
DeleteSimply keep things in perspective. You have a loving family and a place to live. Many don't. Perspective always makes me feel better.
ReplyDelete