OK, I know it is a mixed metaphor, but it gets your
attention and sets up the idea I want to convey.
The past couple of weeks have been difficult for me in some
ways. I injured my Sciatic nerve and have been in quite a bit of pain. I have
seen a doctor and am taking therapy, but the results are somewhat slow in
reliving the pain to say the least. Quite a surprise as I have never had this
type of problem before.
Next I had a filling come out of a tooth and went to the
dentist yesterday for a simple repair. A few hours later I left the office
after having two Wisdom Teeth pulled, a tooth prepared for a crown and three
small fillings. This was a surprise as it is the first of my teeth I have had
to have pulled in almost 68 years and seldom have problems with my teeth.
So, those are some of the lemons (the sour things that make
you scrunch up your mouth and shake your head and say I don't like that). OK, I
know you can make lemonade, but I don't much like that either. Now I can choose
to dwell on those things and say, "Oh, poor me! Why do all of these things
happen to me? I have to admit that I don't like the pain and am praying for
quick relief, however I tend to look for the Silver Lining when I can.
A few weeks ago the church where I had previously preached
in California sent us a house warming gift of a beautiful Boston fern. Now that
the weather has warmed here in Ohio my wife hung it on the back porch and
waters and cares for it regularly. Quite unexpectedly one day she found a
Robin's nest in the fern. Now, day by day we watch it and as of yesterday it
has 4 eggs in it. We also noticed one day, one the Robin's eggs lay broken on
the ground and in the place of the Robin's egg was a smaller brown speckled
egg. We suspect a sneaky Sparrow did this, taking advantage of the Robin's care
for the egg and baby soon to be born. We are looking forward to this with great
expectations.
OK, here's the point. You can choose to dwell on the Lemon's
in your life, or you can look for the Silver Linings around you. I choose to
try and look for the good, the beautiful, possibly the unexpected; for that
which will make me smile and think good thoughts in spite of the pain life
brings.
Paul wrote these words to us on how to deal with life in Philippians 4:8 (I hope you find them
helpful): "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things". (ASV) Another
paraphrase of this verse says, "fill your
minds with those things that are good".
So how are you dealing with you "Life Lemons"?
Stop and look around you for that Silver Lining," and think on these
things.
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