Having someone over is a thrilling thought during SIP (Shelter In Place), even for an introvert like me. I am excited to introduce my friend and critique partner, Dianne Marie Andre, who wrote a lovely guest post for us today. Her newest book just came out too! Be sure to take a look. Enjoy!
It’s been some years since I’ve had fresh-squeezed lemonade. I like mine sweet without a hint of tartness. I know better than to drink cold, store-bought lemonade straight from the bottle. Not without first adding a little sugar.
It’s simple enough. Just stir sugar into the room-temperature beverage until it dissolves. Chill with ice cubes, and enjoy the anticipated bounty it brings to your palette and body.
How I wish we could transform the sour elements of our personalities that easily. Pour sugar into our souls and gently stir until goodness dissolves any anger, self-doubt, resentment, revenge, or fear. All the things that make one’s life hard…backed-up plumbing, job loss, hurt feelings, failure, or bad news that a dear friend or relative is seriously ill.
Sweetening lemonade, and choosing to do good instead of harm, involves a process. Each of us has the potential to react in ways that offer positive support. This takes practice. It requires a choice. There is an old saying, ‘if life gives you lemons make lemonade.’
In my newly published novel, Kiss under the Lemon Tree, my characters learn this lesson—like most of us—the hard way.
What if we didn’t have to learn the hard way? What if we could walk through each day, add sugar to help sweeten our sour thoughts toward our failures, mundane tasks, disappointments, and even disagreeable individuals?
What if we offered sweet lemonade, God’s way, to all we came into contact with using these three steps?
- PRAISE Jesus even when it’s difficult.
- ASK the Holy Spirit to sweeten our sour attitude.
- EXPECT God to pour sweet blessings into our life.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9, WEB)
Dianne Marie Andre is the author of Christian fiction and a nature photographer. She works from her California, rural home where she lives with her husband, Joe, her adorable rescue dog, Ralphie, a bazillion trees, hens, and a few head of cattle. Please follow her at any of these locations: Website Facebook Pinterest
It’s 1954, and photographer Sonny Pace has the summer to sell his childhood home when he falls in love with Addie Stevenson. But her distrust of men—and family secrets—turn the couple’s deep affection into heartbreak…a true love story that portrays how honesty and faith can overpower bad choices. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089XFTQ2P?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420