Read: Romans 8:18 , 28-31

Carson tried to stay out of the movers’ way as they carried furniture into the apartment, so he stood in the corner and frowned. “Why the long face?” asked one of the men who was helping.

“I don’t like this apartment,” said Carson. “I miss having my own yard.” He didn’t add that he didn’t know anybody in the neighborhood and would have to go to a new school.

The man nodded. “Well, you know what they say—when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”

“Lemonade?” asked Carson.

The man smiled. “Yeah, you know—make the best of whatever happens. It may seem like a sour lemon, but it can turn into something sweet.”

Carson sighed. He sounds like Mom, he thought. She’s always saying God works things out for good.

Carson went outside and noticed a boy sitting on the steps. “Hi,” Carson said, and the boy glanced up. He looked like he had been crying. “What’s wrong?” Carson asked.

“I don’t like it here,” the boy replied. He had a strong, musical accent. “Bad things happened in my country, so my family left. But everything is different here, and my English is not good.”

“Sounds fine to me.” Carson sat down on the step beside his new neighbor. “I haven’t moved as far as you, but I’m new here too. I have to start school on Monday and don’t know anyone.”

The boy looked at Carson. “I can walk to school and eat lunch with you,” he said.

“Really?” Carson smiled. “And I can help you with English and anything else you have questions about.”

A smile spread across the boy’s face. “Want to play ball?” he asked, pulling up a soccer ball from the side of the step.

“Sure!”

As they kicked the ball around, Carson thought his new home might not be so bad after all. Maybe Mom and the moving guy are right, he thought. Maybe God is making lemonade out of the lemons I got—and the ones my new neighbor got too. I don’t know what God has planned for me, but I’m glad He helped me make a new friend.

–Matilda H. Nordtvedt

How about you?
Is there a lemon in your life—something that’s hard for you? God isn’t allowing that circumstance into your life in order to hurt you. He uses everything we go through to make us more like Jesus so we can know Him better and share His love with others. Trust Him to use hard situations for good so others can see Jesus in your life.

Today's Key Verse:
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)
Romans 8:28

Today's Key Thought:
Make the best of circumstances