Chicken Soup and Lemonade

Last night I went to a Relief Society activity with a theme of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. One sister spoke about gratitude, and then we all had yummy chicken soup in bread bowls. The one I tried was so delicious! I wish whoever made it had brought the recipe.

After dinner, another sister spoke about the trials she has had throughout life, such as infertility, divorce, a brain tumor, and a child with Down Syndrome. She titled her talk "My Life with a Lemon Tree and a Bowl of Sugar." Although I have heard "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" all my life and gotten annoyed with it, this sister made me see it in a new light. She talked about the tree of life from Lehi's dream, which represents the plan of salvation, and how that is the source of sugar. When we use the plan of salvation (sugar) to get through our trials (the lemons), we have lemonade. She closed with, "After a while I stopped labeling things lemons and sugar, because things I thought were lemons ended up being sugar, and things I thought were sugar were also tart. I learned to put the lemons and sugar together and see and enjoy life as lemonade."

Wow. I never thought of it that way; maybe you have. Usually I thought of the quote as meaning we have to add the sugar to life's lemons in order to make lemonade. But in reality, the sugar comes from the gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When we allow Him to carry our burdens, the trials seem not as tart. We still taste it and learn from it, but we can swallow it, and even enjoy it, thanks to the added sweetness of the Savior.

After the sister spoke, the floor was open for anyone to bear her testimony. I learned that a lot of the sisters in the ward have had very serious trials. And yet they are all so strong and great examples to me! I am so glad I went to the activity. Besides the physical and spiritual nourishment I received, it was nice to talk to and spend time with women. I can't wait to go back to Relief Society, as much as I love my Primary kids!

p.s. This is my 100th blog post! (Though over the years, I have deleted 3, so technically it's my 103rd.)