Do you remember playing the “Game of LIFE” board game? The game simulates a person’s travels through life, from college to retirement, with jobs, marriages and children (or not) along the way. I remember playing for the first time in my childhood. It was fun as I got to choose which way in life that I wanted to go. Of course, I wanted to be married, children, house with white picket fence, dog name rover, etc. I even got to choose what sex my children were going to be. There were pink pegs for girls and blue pegs for boys that I can add to my car. Aaahhh, if only REAL life was that smooth!

My plan for life was to have a career, happily married with 3 children, house, dog and 3 cars. My American Dream! By the way, this was all to be done by the age of 30 years old. But that was not my reality. By the age of 30, I was divorce, alone, no kids, and no dog. However, I did have a career and a house. My point is that life does not turn out exactly how we plan it.

Everyone has heard the quote – 

“When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade”

  But I would like to take it one step further and add:

“When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade…AND Give it away for others to enjoy!

You may be wondering why I would add this. Well, let me explain this to you. In life, you will be given lemons. And some have lemons THROWN at them pretty hard. It can hurt when it is thrown hard. It could be things like a divorce, death, poverty, etc.

Now, we have a choice of what we do with these lemons. Many people will eat the lemons. Tasting a lemon is very bitter and sour. So, if we eat the lemons in life, it becomes bitter and sour to our soul. You may have heard of a “Pity Party.” Yes, that is what happens to us if we eat the lemons of life. We feel sorry for ourselves.

What we need to do with these lemons is to allow God to make lemonade out of life! He is the lemonade maker! Making lemonade is a process. The juice has to be squeezed out. God has to squeeze you so then he can add sugar (his sweetness) and water (Jesus the living water) to the mix. If these two ingredients are not added, you will just be bitter and sour for the rest of your life. Once the lemonade is made, don’t just have it for yourself. You must share it with others so they can be refreshed as well!

Do you know why I am able to help a lot of women that are hurting and broken? Not because I am a good talker, but because I share my life experiences with them. I am transparent, real and don’t put on a façade. When I share how I overcame life’s challenges, it gives other people hope that they TOO can make it. This also brings healing to my own life. It’s a win-win for everyone!

“Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am” – Matthew 16:24 (MSG)

When we truly give up our lives and follow Jesus, then that means our lives are not ours anymore. It’s to be shared with everyone else in making a difference in this world. That is why I wrote the book the “Born-Again Virgin”. It’s about my life journey as a Christian Single adult and the process God brought me through to be that Born-Again Virgin for my husband.

Mike was a Pastor when I met him. When he started pursuing me, I thought I was never holy or spiritual enough to be a Pastor’s wife. I ran from him. I ask God, “Doesn’t Mike know what kind of background I came from? Why would Mike want someone like me who had slept around with so many men?”

God brought me to the story in the bible of Hosea and Gomer. Hosea was a righteous man and he married Gomer, who was the total opposite. She was not only promiscuous, but a prostitute. That did not matter to Hosea. He loved her no matter what. This is the same type of love that Christ has for us. I knew Jesus loves me no matter what because that is the way HE is. So I didn’t have a problem with Agape love from God. But I couldn’t fathom that from a man. That is where God had to work in my heart to let me know and show me that Mike loved me no matter what my past was like. WOW! And the rest is history.

When you let God lead you and you surrender to His will, then life is refreshing like lemonade.

“When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade…AND Give it away for others to enjoy!”

 If you want to share your story with us, please email it to info@bavirgin.com