Lemonade

I love sitting on my couch in the morning with my cup of coffee.

Lately, I’ve had time to look out the window and reminisce about when my kids were toddlers.

I remember almost 13 years ago, we were living in Virginia Beach. My husband was working in Las Vegas, Nevada. Before I knew it, he was gone for two years. I had an almost one year old, a three year old, and a five year old.

They were loud, demanding, and they cried a lot.

I was all alone.

At the same time, we were a team. We knew how to make each other giggle. Make a three course dinner for four people out of $3. And, that it was ok that today we were only going to watch cartoons.

We became pros at turning lemons into lemonade.

Things are awkward and tough in the world right now. But we have been around this mountain before. It just looks different in a new season. And we know the trick to making lemonade.

The first thing we did when we moved to a new area was look for a church and a moms’ group. If there wasn’t one, I was sure to form one. After moving so many times in my younger life, I knew that God, family, and friends was the only way I was going to survive single motherhood with three toddlers. I had skinned knees from the amount of times that I hit the floor to pray. I knew I needed to buckle down in God’s truth.

Only God matters…He is priority one.

A few weeks ago, I reminded my daughter that we have been through a lot and we are overcomers because of God. We have been taught lesson on top of lesson on how to get up and keep going.

She told me “I know Mom. This time, I’m just a bit rusty at this.”

Life has been pretty smooth sailing lately — which is something we felt like we earned after all the trials we have been through. But it’s a good reminder that God is in control. It is up to us to acknowledge what is going on, cry a little, refocus, and turn to God. It’s too easy to get rusty when the road is clearer than we were used to.

Be honest with God with how you feel. He will respond with the way out through scripture. And don’t forget to say thank you!

Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will act.

I find myself every now and then getting upset or in a panic because, well, there are so many reasons why that would be expected.

You see, He already knows what you need but He wants you to actually tell him. It’s like the two-year-old who needs to use her words. They need to ask for the cup of juice; even though you know exactly what the tears and pointing mean. It forms a relationship and a dependence on God that we strive for and so does He.

God brought back one of my favorite memories…

About eight years or so ago, my husband needed to leave again. I knew it would be for a very long time. I was a bit worried about how we would survive financially and what would happen when things like the water heater would go down.

But mostly, I grieved for my kids who needed to live with a very tired mom. The day he left, I took all three of my young kids to get dinner at the grocery store.

Joy filled my heart.

It was the kind of joy that only God could pour into my heart because it just didn’t make sense to have. We smiled and laughed so much that our bellies hurt. In the midst of our sorrow, we made others smile as well.

But, my favorite part was seeing a friend in the frozen food section. She just stared at us in disbelief. She knew that we were supposed to be sad and crying. Trust me, we were sad. But, we chose joy because in the midst of it all God is awesome!

We have seen Him pull us through things time and time again. He has always provided.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

When you are going through difficult times…

I challenge you to smile.

I challenge you to choose joy.

I challenge you to seek God and spread the story of salvation among your friends and family.

You are positioned where you are so that you can be a testimony.

Yes, things are hard.

Yes, things are uncertain.

Yes, there is a lot going on that we just don’t like.

But, we cannot control those things.

What we can control is acknowledging our thoughts and actions. Take it to God and abide in what He is telling you and the way out…which is joy and peace in the Lord our God and savior. And then…share the good news!

Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Kellie Maguire has been married for 17 years to her husband, Kevin. Together they have three children and she has a step-son (who lives with his mom). They have moved around the country many times and are finally growing their roots in their small town.

Kellie’s faith in God is extremely important to her. She has been through many mountains and valleys and the Lord has gotten her through. She loves to ride her bike, write, watch movies, and is very involved in her children’s lives. Being a Mom is her favorite role in life. She values her faith, family, love, and friendships.