When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemon Verbena Bread

This weekend my cleaning lady came to visit me early Saturday morning. I was happy to see her since the house was a total mess, but I couldn't help feel a bit sluggish. I was feeling pretty down in the dumps.

She immediately picked up on this and wanted to console me. I really wasn't in the mood to share my problems, but as I started to explain my woes I found myself telling her everything in great detail. She tried to advise me and even gave me a hug, but I really wasn't satisfied. I still felt depressed. But then she began to share with me her own problems. She explained that she felt lonely and there was never anyone at home to greet her when she arrived after a long day. She shared with me her experiences of customers that would pay her too little, or would demand extra service such as cooking and day care for a days worth of work and only pay her $50. And then there were the customers that after a full day of cleaning, would give her a ride home and charge her $40 becuase gas was expensive, leaving her only with a meager $60. And then...



My cleaning lady began to cry. It occured to me at that moment that my problems were so small and ridiculous. I also realized that there are people out there that truly have big obstacles in their lives that they are trying to over come. Or there are people out there struggling to make a living and that are truly suffering. In my cleaning lady's case, she is an elderly woman in a strange country where she does not speak the language. She is destitute, sick and often taken advantage of or swindled. But yet, she always keeps her head up and maintains an optimistic outlook on things.



After my conversation with her, it occured to me that I felt better and I realized that I should be happy even when times get bad. I should save my tears because there is always someone who is probably going through something worse. I truly have many things that I should be grateful for and I should continue to count my blessings. Even when my ego gets bruised, I should remember that life is beautiful. So when life hands you lemons, it is best to make lemon verbena bread.

Count your blessings

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Note: The pictures in this post are of pink lemons which I used to make lemonade and lemon verbena bread. I did not post the recipe since so few people visit my blog, but if you are interested in the recipe, just leave a comment requesting it.