Lemonade Dreams: Taking a Sip of Patience
“I have spread my dreams under your feet.
Tread softly
because you tread on my dreams.”
~ W.B. Yeats
Do you remember the first time you made lemonade?
When I was a kid, it never took more than a few minutes. Before commercials finished flashing on the TV, I was able to whip myself up pink lemonade and hop back in time for Bugs Bunny’s last cartoon.
I’d run to the fridge, open up the freezer and grab myself a can of concentrate lemonade, courtesy of Minute Maid. It took practice to get that tin cover off. I’d pop the sludge of sticky, gooey yellow out of the cardboard tube, into the Rubbermaid container.
I’d quickly fill it up with some tap water and shake it up.
Voila. Instant lemonade.
Homemade Lemonade
Luckily, my four year old son, TJ, seems to have a happier lot in life. His daddy took out a Sunday afternoon to show him how it’s really done.
I swear, I didn’t know it could be so much work.
I was busy upstairs, surrounded by piles of paper, filing like a mad woman, to clear a chaotic desk. After what seemed like an eternity of sorting, TJ shoots up the stairs, like a bull on a rampage.
“Mommee! We did it — we made lemonade! Come have some!” His eyes were wild and bright, cheeks flushed from the excitement and the climb.
“Alright,” I holler. “I’ll be there in a minute!”
As TJ led the way downstairs, he started to recount the entire process, like a scientist discovering the meticulous set of steps to split the atom.
“The first thing you have to do is wash the lemons… Then, you cut the lemons in half and squeeze them with the juicer-thing. Then, you pour the sugar into the pitcher, pour the hot water into it… Put a whole bunch of ice and water — STIR IT UP AND IT’S DONE!”
TJ demonstrates the action in a fury of tornado-grade worthy arms and hands flailing in mid-air, as he lands his descent and skedaddles into the kitchen.
“Cheers!” We clink our glasses. I’m quite impressed.
The End Comes Faster
After downing some sweet and tart TJ homemade lemonade, I asked the little drink barista what he thought of making lemonade.
“I liked it, but it sure took a looooong time!”
“Really?” I asked, half-listening.
“Yeah,” TJ sighed. “You have to be very patient. You have to do a lot of stuff before you can make the lemonade and finally drink it.”
“How were you able to be so patient, then?” I was all ears.
“Well… I was patient because I knew the end would come faster if I just did what Daddy told me to do. “ TJ answered.
I thought for a moment, The kid’s like Yoda.
What My Heavenly Daddy Says
Before this day, I thought my lemonade-in-a-can was pretty terrific. After all, it was pretty darn good enough for watching Looney Tunes.
As I listened to TJ-Yoda tell it, I understood that the sweet-tart taste that comes from hand-squeezed lemons was incomparably better. It isn’t just the flavor, but the father who walked TJ step by step, talking him through it.
I realized the patience I need to see my dreams through comes from the same place — following what my Heavenly Daddy tells me to do.
I’m so totally used to working to pop dreams out of the can of self-effort. I try to force my dreams, getting short and frustrated, artificially trying to make things happen. It doesn’t taste so good.
It’s hard to be patient, when I don’t know how long a dream will take. But, the end will come faster, if I focus on what God’s put in front of me, trusting in what my Heavenly Daddy can do.
It’ll be sweet as sunshine. TJ’s sure of that.
“I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” ~ God (Acts 2:17)
What are you dreaming of today?
How do you handle the wait — and mix in patience?
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*soft laugh* If I had written this post, I’d have bolded the line about “your sons and daughters will prophesy… ”
I am jealous of the ease with which you explain things. The words get so stopped up in my head lately and come out all disjointed phrases. I should just call you, tell you a post idea, and then let you write it for me.
Actually, I wonder – you have any interest in doing a guest post at my place?
Kelly Langner Sauer´s last blog ..Patience to wait, when there is nothing clear
First, I have NO idea what you’re talking about?! Talked about ease of beautiful sentences. I imagine you floating and music singing when you write!
… I’m honored to be invited over to your place! Will catch you offline.
LOL – imagine what must be IN my head that isn’t coming out, then? Seriously, it pays to be as direct as you can be. Really, it does.
Kelly Langner Sauer´s last blog ..Patience to wait, when there is nothing clear
I love how God teaches us through our children. Even though I homeschooled mine through high school, I can’t tell who learned more — me or them.
As one woman said to me, “You thought you wuz schoolin’ them, but you wuz goin’ to school yo’sef!”
Yep.
Cassandra Frear´s last blog ..Writing: The Story I Never Meant to live
I love these lessons. I love when I catch them, I should say. Makes me want to pay closer attention!
Thanks for the great story and reminder, Bonnie. I appreciate it.
jasonS´s last blog ..The Exciting World of Budgets
This is one of too many posts that I’ve seen lately about having patience with our dreams…do you think God’s trying to tell me something? Haha!
Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..Whisper
Patience and waiting ~ these are actually action words. Paradoxical. This put another layer on for me. Thanks.
Kathleen Overby´s last blog ..Both Sides of the Coin
I love TJ~Yoda and his lessons! Kids are amazing teachers, but we have to be patient enough to listen to them, so we can learn!
Thanks for this wonderful post, Bonnie.
Bridget Chumbley´s last blog ..Patience (Blog Carnival)
This post had me smiling from the start with feelings of whimsical nostalgia.
Then I read the lines…
“I’m so totally used to working to pop dreams out of the can of self-effort. I try to force my dreams, getting short and frustrated, artificially trying to make things happen. It doesn’t taste so good.”
What a statement full of great revelation. When we try to make our own dreams come true, it never truly ends up being the real desires of our hearts. It’s only when God accomplishes and fulfills His dreams in us and through us are we left in complete joy and amazement. All for His glory.
Yep, the kid’s just like Yoda. This brought a smile and a lot of thoughts. Thanks, Bonnie.
Glynn´s last blog ..(Im)patience
“The kid’s like Yoda.” Ha! Got a good smile out of that.
L.L. Barkat´s last blog ..Loving Monday: Show, Don’t Tell
Hey, Bonnie! Aren’t children so amazing. Their minds open up and teach us every single day, just like God meant for them to do.
I hope you’re doing well. I’m having a crazy season!!
Heather Sunseri´s last blog ..What I Learned from Job, As a Writer
I can’t imagine. It’s just me and my little ol’ business and I’m already crazy thinking about it. And you take care of your clients! Amazing. I’m doing well, though. Enjoying the month of love.
I’m dreaming of warmer weather and melting snow (we just got another foot here in the upper midwest last night). Thankfully the wait is made easier by having so much to do “indoors”. I used the day to blog, feed the wood stove, record and post some music videos to youtube, and watched the birds at the feeder. If it’s still bad out tomorrow, I’ll do all that again, plus read Ecclesiastes 3 and listen to the Byrds sing Turn, Turn, Turn.
Dude, that is such an idyllic day! What’s your blog site/name?
Still trying to wrap my head around and see more clearly the areas where I am “artificially trying to make things happen.” Let alone thinking about the ways I handle the wait–usually not so well! Probably why I’m currently in a season of waiting and patience
Katy´s last blog ..Starting Out With Joy
@Cassandra: It’s so true!
@Jason: Loved your post, too!
@Melissa: I’m right there with ya’ on this dream stuff.
@Kathleen: There are so many layers – just when I thought I understood…
@Bridget: I loved your acrostics!
@Christine: It is the full truth that takes us through experience. I wish head knowledge was good enough!
@Glynn and @LLBarkat: I am amazed how yoda-like the stuff comes out of a kid who still can’t tie his shoes. Thank God for these great memories mixed in with the more “challenging” ones.
@Katy: I am feeling the same way- yep. God’s timetable doesn’t shift, even if I do! I hope I can get better at this.
I’m not very good with patience either. But what choice to I have? You just do what’s in front of you each day, the best you can, and then see how it all unfolds. God’s in all of it.
This got me too, “I’m so totally used to working to pop dreams out of the can of self-effort. I try to force my dreams, getting short and frustrated, artificially trying to make things happen. It doesn’t taste so good.”
I immediately thought of Pop tarts — and realized that everything instant is filled with all things artificial and never taste as good as the real thing.
thanks for a great story!
Louise
Louise´s last blog ..Forever in the arms of love.
Wow. Isn’t it amazing the things we, adults miss when we overlook what the little, adults-in waiting say to us. I am learning my lessons too by listening to my four year old. Yes, I have been there many times…trying to help God to speed up the time between the dream and its manifestation and every time I do, there is heartache and repentance. Lord, help us to follow your instructions to the end. Of course, GOD-MADE DREAMS have to be GOD FULFILLED!
Blessings
Gladwell
Gladwell Musau´s last blog ..BECAUSE YOUR LOVE…
It seems God has placed 4 year old to bring us the joy of patience. We are listening. “Heartache and repentence” – what a beautiful and true duality in our journey. Thank you!
That story is so sweet. We can learn if we pay more attention to the things kids say! Great lesson in following directions from our Father!
Jennifer Adams´s last blog ..Running The Risk of Being Less Than Perfect
Thanks!
A wonderful story. I’m working on a piece of writing that’s taking longer than I want–you just reminded me of who’s in charge, who’s providing the words, and who I want the final product to reflect.
I don’t want this to be instant lemonade. Thanks for the reminder.
Rich Dixon´s last blog ..Busted!
I LOVE the 3 who’s here — esp the last — who you want the final product to reflect (as opp. to what). What a unique gift that you’re bringing to the Father through your art. I pray a special blessing in thanking God for your words, Rich!
Oh Bonnie, I love this! I’m so glad you shared it on Walk with Him Wed., because I missed it yesterday at Bridget’s One Word Carnival. You DO have a way with words. This is my favorite graph:
“I’m so totally used to working to pop dreams out of the can of self-effort. I try to force my dreams, getting short and frustrated, artificially trying to make things happen. It doesn’t taste so good.”
Yes! That speaks right into my heart and soul! Me, too!
Michelle at Graceful´s last blog ..Praying Madly
Nice reminder. Do what the Father tells you to do. Thanks! It’s timeless advice.
Lisa notes…´s last blog ..Is this heaven or hell?
@Michelle: Yea – a dreaming compadre!
@Lisa notes: It’s so simple, I forgot it and then, happily I remembered it.
Bonnie,
I am crazy about this post. It never ceases to amaze me how our young’uns can be a fountain of knowledge (and they don’t even know it!)
My favorite part was this: “It’s hard to be patient, when I don’t know how long a dream will take. But, the end will come faster, if I focus on what God’s put in front of me, trusting in what my Heavenly Daddy can do.”
Lately, this is EXACTLY what Daddy has been trying to get through to my thick noggin. So glad I could have this reminder from your sweet baby!
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms´s last blog ..Beautiful
@Kristen: We must have the same Daddy! … LOL. Thank you for your sweet RT. Just saw that.