I must admit that PC (pre-COVID) life is becoming a distant memory for me. The new uptick in COVID cases through the spread of the Delta variant seems to be pulling us farther away from where we thought we were headed. The ‘new norm’ has settled into constant pandemic high alert mode. As quickly as prevention attire and social distancing behavior rules started to lift, seemingly shifting us back to PC times, we have found ourselves back to square one: digging out and restocking masks we may have set aside or tossed out; refilling hand sanitizer bottles in our homes, purses, and cars; reordering gloves for our workplaces; and searching for new and creative backgrounds for Zoom meetings. I can’t even begin to fathom another toilet paper shortage! It seems we are living in a one-step forward, two-steps back dystopian world. Beyond Covid and its many Greek offspring (i.e., the Delta and Lambda variants), drought, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorism, sexual harassment, and discrimination keep surfacing through local, national, and world news. Quite frankly, it has become downright difficult to retain a positive outlook in life.

So…I recently turned to Pinterest as a source of distraction from it all. I have discovered this form of social media to be a great source of humor. It doesn’t take long before I am drawn into a time sucking vortex of reading and laughing at the goofy quotes and images posted on that site. Although not the best use of time, it is a good way to divert my attention from a constant barrage of negative news.

In my quest for happiness, or at least a reason to shift my perspective from doom and gloom to something more hopeful, the proverbial phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” kept popping up on my screen. Of course, lemons are the metaphor for difficult times in life, so this oft-quoted statement of advice offers a more positive shift in perspective. As I continued to scroll through Pinterest on this topic, memes appeared as outtakes of this message. Examples include:

I like these creative solutions to seeking a more positive perspective on life. But as I considered my ability or sincere desire to take them to heart, I realized…

• I can’t juggle. I have a hard enough time multi-tasking in my head without doing it with my hands.
• I love to cook and bake but frankly, I can’t think of a recipe where I’d need or want to use pickled lemons.
• I’m more of a crab than lobster tail lover.
• I tend to kill every plant I come into contact with so there is no sense in planting seeds to prepare for the plant's demise.
• I’m confused about how I could even begin to make orange juice out of lemons!
• Although there are few desserts in this world I don’t care for, I’m not a fan of lemon meringue pie so I don’t need those calories.
• The lemon in the hair bleaching thing is in my past and surfing at this stage in my life is best kept on the internet.

The best solution I found as I scrolled through multiple screen images on this topic were those that provided realistic and truly useful strategies that I can use to face anything, and everything, thrown at me in this life. My favorite:

I believe that the Bible DOES in fact have realistic answers for us when life gives us lemons. We can learn what God’s plan is for us by sitting with Him in the word to be reminded of and reassured by His promises.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Be assured that even though it does not seem all is well, God is working on our behalf. He has a plan, a good and perfect plan.

So, when life gives you lemons, go ahead and make lemonade. Then sit down for a glass with Jesus and be reminded of His promises for good in our lives.

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

Polly Kloster, RN
First in Mission Director

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