Those of you who have Parkinson’s or are their caregivers need to partner with the Lord to open a lemonade stand. Parkinson’s is something of a lemon, all right. But with God’s help, you can persevere and even flourish through your illness.
| Parkinson’s Disease Lemonade
Take the Parkinson’s lemons and squeeze them well. To the sour juice, add the sweetness of your attitude. Mix with the Living Water of Jesus. Enjoy the delicious lemonade, And drink as much as you like. |
It’s the sweetness of your response to personal challenges that turns lemon juice into very tasty lemonade. What better way, what better reason to bring your heart and mind and soul closer to God? People are watching to see how faithfully you respond to the burden that has come upon you. So don’t throw lemons at them, offer them some lemonade.
In the short story “Youth,” by Joseph Conrad, the character Young Marlowe faces a series of increasingly disastrous events: the ship catches on fire, the captain goes mad, the ship blows up. Each time, Young Marlowe says, in effect, “This is great! I can handle this! I feel so alive! I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next!” His attitude should be ours.
Or as the apostle Paul would put it,
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
–Philippians 4:13, NASB
I’ll let our Partner in the lemonade business sum up for us:
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
–John 16:33, NLT
When life hands you Parkinson’s Disease, make lemonade.