Post by Betty on Aug 8, 2005 4:18:52 GMT -5
Title: Make Lemonade
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Esther 2:8-9
"So it was, when the king's command and decree
were heard, and when many young women were
gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the
custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to
the king's palace, into the care of Hegai the
custodian of the women. Now the young woman
pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he
readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides
her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants
were provided for her from the king's palace, and
he moved her and her maidservants to the best
place in the house of the women."
Make Lemonade
Those who find the greatest joy in life are
people who refuse to be discouraged by their
circumstances. Author Zig Ziglar says, "If life
hands you a lemon, take the lemon and make
lemonade."
Esther was handed a lemon. King Ahasuerus decreed
that all the beautiful young virgins in his
kingdom should be brought to Shushan for his
inspection. He was looking for a new queen, and a
beauty pageant was his method of choice. Esther
was part of these degrading procedures. But in
spite of what must have been an ordeal for a
young Jewish woman, she kept her sweet spirit.
Her attitude so impressed Hegai, the custodian of
the women, that she became a favorite.
Others have learned this secret as well. Charles
Goodyear's lemon was a prison sentence resulting
from a contempt of court citation. Instead of
complaining, he became an assistant in the
kitchen. He then used this sour situation to
work on an idea for vulcanizing rubber. His
lemon became our lemonade. Because of Charles
Goodyear, we have better tires, which means
better travel and a better way of life.
God doesn't exempt us from experiencing sour
fruit. We live in a fallen world and that means
we may find ourselves in situations as tart as
lemons. But God can help us keep our spirits
sweet. Ask Him to help you. A sweet testimony can
squeeze the juice out of a sour world.
Nothing is so sour that it can't be sweetened by
a good attitude.
____________________________________________________________
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Esther 2:8-9
"So it was, when the king's command and decree
were heard, and when many young women were
gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the
custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to
the king's palace, into the care of Hegai the
custodian of the women. Now the young woman
pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he
readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides
her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants
were provided for her from the king's palace, and
he moved her and her maidservants to the best
place in the house of the women."
Make Lemonade
Those who find the greatest joy in life are
people who refuse to be discouraged by their
circumstances. Author Zig Ziglar says, "If life
hands you a lemon, take the lemon and make
lemonade."
Esther was handed a lemon. King Ahasuerus decreed
that all the beautiful young virgins in his
kingdom should be brought to Shushan for his
inspection. He was looking for a new queen, and a
beauty pageant was his method of choice. Esther
was part of these degrading procedures. But in
spite of what must have been an ordeal for a
young Jewish woman, she kept her sweet spirit.
Her attitude so impressed Hegai, the custodian of
the women, that she became a favorite.
Others have learned this secret as well. Charles
Goodyear's lemon was a prison sentence resulting
from a contempt of court citation. Instead of
complaining, he became an assistant in the
kitchen. He then used this sour situation to
work on an idea for vulcanizing rubber. His
lemon became our lemonade. Because of Charles
Goodyear, we have better tires, which means
better travel and a better way of life.
God doesn't exempt us from experiencing sour
fruit. We live in a fallen world and that means
we may find ourselves in situations as tart as
lemons. But God can help us keep our spirits
sweet. Ask Him to help you. A sweet testimony can
squeeze the juice out of a sour world.
Nothing is so sour that it can't be sweetened by
a good attitude.
____________________________________________________________
