Make lemonade from those lemons!

Recently I read a story of a person who suffered terrible loss a quarter century ago in the tragic death of her young husband. There was no denying the awful sorrow, the terrible grief. To me, the greater tragedy was that her life, to this day, is defined by that single loss. She has not found a way to overcome it and make a new life. By contrast, I met another woman recently who was a homemaker and a mother of a 4 year old when her husband left her for his young secretary. His decision rewrote her playbook, presented her with choices she had not even considered. She turned a disappointment into a fresh start, went back to college, earned her degree, started a career, and recently retired after a 20 years of achievement. She told me, "it wasn't the life I planned, but when you're handed lemons, you must make lemonade!" What a great attitude!

Aren't you thankful for a new week, another opportunity to make a difference, a fresh beginning? The people who live the best lives understand and use the life's fresh starts. They refuse to live in regret, will not waste time trying to even the score with those who have hurt them, and know that yesterday's triumphs are old news. They build on the past, but look forward. Perhaps it is a cliché, but it is still a good thought: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life!"

It is just a fact of life that there are seasons of success and seasons of sorrow, days when we celebrate and days when we mourn - but as long as the sun rises - each day presents us with new opportunities to live out God's purposes. Jeremiah, the prophet of Judah, who lived during some of the darkest days in his nation's history, wrote these wonderful words near the end of his life. "I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:20-23, NIV)

Celebrate that promise!! God's love sustains us, keeps us from being eaten up by the past. We may feel like we are beyond hope, but His love is limitless. We may be starting to believe that we are doomed by our sins, but His faithfulness to His promise of redemption can become the foundation of a new beginning. On this Monday morning, take charge of your thoughts and throw out the self-defeating ones that would make you a captive of yesterday - whether good or bad. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow may never arrive. Discover God's love for this day, His provision for a new beginning for you that exists right here, right now.

Anonymous (he's the wisest person I know) said, "Opportunity knocks only once. Temptation leans on the doorbell!"

Answer the knock, take the opportunity that God gives you today - to forgive, to set a new course, to learn a new skill, to love someone, to let go of yesterday, and to grab onto this day.

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Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Chisholm, Thomas O. / Runyan, William M.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning
New mercies I see;
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me.

Great is Thy faithfulness,
O God my Father,
There is no shadow
Of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not,
Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars
In their courses above;
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness,
Mercy and love.

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence
To cheer and to guide;
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine,
With ten thousand beside!

© 1923. Renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Company

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