D.A.T. #9 | When Life Gives You Lemons

Click HERE for this week's D.A.T.

A form of lemonade (lemon juice mixed with sugar or honey) has been around since the 12th Century. That's a long time ago! Bottles of lemonade were sold in markets in Cairo, Egypt. 

Lemons on their own don't taste very nice. I sure wouldn't like to drink a glass of lemon juice by itself! Most people, if they bit into a lemon, would think, 'yuck!', what a sour, tart taste! I wonder who came up with the idea of adding sugar, to create such a delicious, refreshing drink?

Lemonade is a great example of taking something that is rather unpleasant and turning it into something lovely.

There is a saying... 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' 

In life, there are always going to be difficult, even dreadful times. Our bible readings today tell us that in these moments, God is with us. God loves us so much! God cries with us. God aches with us. But God loves us too much for us to deal with bad stuff alone.

Nothing can separate us from God's love. Instead of focusing on all the bad stuff in life, look at all the awesome goodness in the world! The good stuff that comes from a loving God who cares for us.

With God's help, we can look for ways to show God's love to others. Even when we're feeling a bit stink, if we can let God open our eyes and work through us to share God's love... In our hearts, we will be filled with a peace, knowing that we are doing the right thing, and that God is with us, helping us get through. 

The next time you are faced with something scary or hard, remember that God is with you. God loves you. Heaps! God is there, walking beside you, helping you all the way. Use that knowledge, that peace and love and strength to look to see how you can make things better. Look for ways to 'make lemonade' and continue to share God's love.

Check out this cool tune from our lovely Siu, who wrote this especially for this week's theme. Thanks, Siu!

CHALLENGES:

Could Be Worse
When times are tough, it's sometimes helpful to remind ourselves that things could be worse. There is usually always someone doing it tougher. In dark times it can help to find things to be grateful for, or to find a way of bringing light and hope into someone else's life.

Watch this retelling of one of my favourite story books, where a grandfather shows two children that even though they might be having a bad day, things could be worse. You could try writing your own 'Could be Worse!' story, or a Bad News-Good News Story.

Keep Calm and Talk to God
One of our bible readings today comes from the book of Acts, with a message from Paul, telling us that no matter what happens in life, God has sent His Holy Spirit, to be our comforter. God is always with us, loving us.

Here's a great story from the bible, about Paul. It's a real bad news-good news story! Through all the dreadful, scary things that happen, Paul keeps calm and remembers that God is with him. Watch the video below and see if you can do the quiz afterwards.

Click HERE to do the Quiz

Hide 'n' Seek
We know deep down in our hearts that God exists... but we have to seek out God. Everywhere we turn and look, we will see aspects of God in the world around us.

Play a game of Hide'n'Seek - with the whole family! Take a photo of someone in the best hiding place.


Gratitude Tree
Cut out some leaf shapes. Write something you are thankful for on each leaf. Attach the leaves to some branches and arrange them in a jar. Alternatively, you could draw a tree on a big sheet of paper and attach your leaves to that.

Thank You Note

Write a thank you note to someone, letting them know how much you appreciate them. It could be someone in your bubble, or you might like to post a note in the mail to a friend or relative.

Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

Find things you are thankful for, snap a photo of them and send them in!

Tear-off Gratitude Slips

Make some tear-off gratitude slips for your bubble. Put it on the fridge or noticeboard, and family members can rip off a note of thanks and surprise one another with it.

Leaf Art

Use Autumn leaves to make a piece of art. This lion picture would be a great one to try!

Upcycle

Take something that you might have ready to throw out in the yellow bin, and upcycle it. You could turn a jar or tin into a pen holder.

Transform a Lemon

Bake or create something with a lemon theme... you could bake some lemon muffins, a lemon cake, lemon slice, lemon meringue pie... you could make lemonade! Or make an artwork celebrating the lemon! Your choice! You might like to give your lemon gift to a friend or neighbour.

The Lemonade Machine

Watch this amazing video... The Lemonade Machine. A chain reaction of epic proportions! You may even be tempted to make your own!