6/12/21 - Lemons vs. Brussels Sprouts

My sister gave me a Charlie Brown & Peanuts Gang perpetual calendar for my birthday.  Every day presents a cute comic strip or single comic scene.  Earlier this week, Charlie Brown and Lucy were having a discussion: “They say if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade.  What if life gives you brussels sprouts?” 

As if on que, the very next day, life gave us brussells sprouts, and neither one of us like them!  Now, there are some other vegetables that I dislike even more (please don’t ever serve me beets or cooked spinach!) but I have yet to find anything that can make brussels sprouts palatable – unlike lemons, sugar and water just can’t improve their taste!

To be sure, brussels sprouts do have health benefits but does that mean I have to partake of them?  Yes, sometimes I do, and this week was declared a brussels sprouts week as God had ordained some character building for us through an unpleasant trial.  It has been especially unpleasant because it involves people within the body of Christ. (read Tom’s 6/11/21 blog for more info)

When Tom came home after a meeting where the brussels sprouts were delivered, he was sad but calm and positive.  I, on the other hand, got very emotional and defensive of my man and the truth of God’s Word that he always delivers without compromise. 

Needless to say, I didn’t sleep well that night as I wrestled with those nasty brussels sprouts.  I finally got up and went to my knees and deliberately chose to begin praising God for everything that came to my mind.  As I drew near to Him, recalling His goodness, His faithfulness and unconditional love, He began to bathe me in His peace.  When I allowed calm and stillness to envelop me, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Scripture to soothe the ache in my heart so I could effectively pray for those involved.

“No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper.” Isaiah 54:17  God is my shield and defender, and I can rest in, and trust Him to see me through.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4  This one is always hard to embrace but I really do want to be strong, and I realize that enduring faith is best gained in the ordained curriculum of the University of Adversity.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28  I can be assured that God always has my best in mind, and He never wastes any circumstance as He continues to complete the good work He began in me.

“And as for you, you meant evil against me but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”  Genesis 50:20  Even though the intention of those involved may not have deliberately been evil, Satan certainly wanted me to feel that it was.  However, as Joseph realized that God is sovereign and works ALL things after the counsel of His will, so I must also choose to see that God has purposed and planned this in His sovereign will, and that is good, even though there is pain in the process.

Time and again in Scripture, we see that blessings follow in obedience to God and His sovereign lordship.  So, maybe, just maybe, brussels sprouts can actually be transformed into something tasty!

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”  Romans 8:31