Lemons
By Kathy Yoder

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

We’ve all heard that saying. It’s a nice sentiment. I believe in making the best of everything, of being positive, in having a cheery outlook and in cherishing each day.

But what if life throws you many lemons and you don’t know the recipe for lemonade? What do you do? Emily didn’t know what to do, so she asked different cooks. They all gave her different answers. “I don’t know who to believe,” thinks Emily.

Emily has her own recipe book, but she’s never opened it. It looks nice sitting on the shelf. She likes the idea of people seeing her recipe book. She imagines them thinking, “She must be a wonderful cook. Look at how fancy that recipe book is.”

Or, “Only a really expert cook would buy such an expensive recipe book. Emily must be one of the best.”

Even though it’s not the truth, Emily lets them view her with admiration. “It’s not really a lie,” thinks Emily. “After all, I never said I was an expert cook.” Emily thinks how nice it would be if she was a great cook. Then, gradually, she starts believing her own story until one day she calls herself an expert cook and lemonade maker. She loves the way people look at her. They want to be like her. Some people even envy her. Emily secretly enjoys that last part the most.

There’s just one problem. The day has come when Emily’s expected to actually make lemonade. “What do I do?” Emily asks no one in particular. “Maybe I’ll have to admit I’m a fraud. But I don’t want to lose respect. I don’t!”

Emily looks at the lovely recipe book on the shelf. She thinks about picking it up, but she’s never opened it. She doesn’t know how to find anything in the book, so she leaves it on the shelf. “It does look pretty on the shelf,” she thinks.

What now? Emily comes up with a plan: “I’ll fudge my way through,” and with the determination of an army ant leader preparing to rally his troops for war, Emily says, “OK, what do I know about lemonade?”

She thinks. “I know! I know what I need! I need … lemons! And … some sugar. Water and something about shaking.” So, Emily cuts a lemon in half and takes a big bite. “Wow! That’s so sour!” Emily says as her lips freeze in a permanent pucker. She takes a big spoonful of sugar and tosses it down her throat. “Not the greatest taste in the world.” It makes her mouth dry. She guzzles water. Emily chokes, but remembers something about shaking, so she wiggles her arms and jumps up and down, waving her spoon around in the air at the same time, just for good measure.

“Funny,” she thinks. “Something’s not quite right. It doesn’t taste like lemonade. In fact, it tastes awful!” As Emily involuntarily puckers again, she asks herself, “Is this lemonade?”

Emily doesn’t know, so she asks herself some questions. “Did it quench my thirst? I’ve heard it’s very thirst-quenching. No, it didn’t do that. Does it taste good? No! It’s supposed to be delicious. Does it make me happy? No!”

Emily has no idea what’s wrong. And there’s only 15 minutes before her first class of new students arrive to “learn from the best.” Only now is Emily truly sorry for her lie. “What should I do?” she asks.

“If only I knew the head chef. He could help me. I just know it. But I don’t know him; I’ve only said I do -- another stupid lie.” As the women are pulling into Emily’s driveway, she runs over to the shelf and picks up the pretty recipe book. She opens it and says, “Please help me.” A peace comes over Emily as she welcomes the women into her home.

“Ladies, I want to be honest with you. This is the first time I’ve ever opened this recipe book. I’ve only attempted to make lemonade once, with disastrous results. I think I may have a permanent pucker.” The ladies laugh. “So, if you’re willing to learn together, I am, too.” And that was the day Emily learned to make real lemonade.

Some people pretend to know God when they don’t know Him at all. They’re seen as great believers when they’re not. This pretending leads to bitterness even more sour than lemons. But it’s easy to know God. You can open the Bible and start reading. You can go to church. You can ask for help. All easy steps. Not one complicated recipe. In fact, knowing God is the sweetest experience on this earth. And that’s not something to pucker about!