Making Lemonade

Making Lemonade

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

The ocean was breathtaking as my dear friend Gail and I traveled down the Oregon coast in Gail’s aging motor home. We thrilled to see the waves wildly pounding the rocky seashore, sending salty spray hundreds of feet into the air. Only God could create such majesty.

While driving, I noticed the large side mirror was violently shaking. We pulled over and secured it with duct tape. Then the picnic awning began to flap. The brace was broken, so we stopped again and secured it with lots more duct tape. People did stare, but the scenery was glorious, and we determined nothing would stop us. I made up a little duct tape song called “Quack, Quack.” Gail giggled with delight.

On the third day, we parked the motor home at the hotel where Gail was the speaker for a women’s retreat. That night I came back to the motor home alone, and as I entered the small shower enclosure, I noticed the stars were very bright. This seemed odd since the sky had not been visible on previous nights. We had parked at campgrounds where the trees obviously had blocked the starlight.

Then it clicked. Where was the ceiling? Oh no! It must have blown off along the road. I was soon on the floor laughing in hysterics when a sudden wave of guilt came over me. Poor Gail, her motor home was falling apart piece by piece. How awful!

When Gail returned, she smiled at me and chuckled, “Oh, don’t feel bad; the top on the shower was gone before we left home.” We cackled till our sides hurt, then we cried with joy.

Gail’s attitude was an example of the joy of the Lord during trying times. She taught me that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade . . . and trust God.

—Marty Prudhomme

Lord, please help me to always have a heart full of gratitude and your wonderful sense of humor. Amen.