Esther 2:8-9So it was, when the king's

command and decree were heard, and when many

young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the

custody ofHegai, that Esther also was taken to the king's palace, into the care

ofHegai the custodian of the

women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she

obtained his favour; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her,

besidesher allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for

her fromthe king's palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the

best placein the house of the women."

Those who find

the greatest joy in life are people who refuse to be discouraged

by their circumstances.

Author Zig Ziglar says,

"If lifehands you a

lemon, take the lemon

and make lemonade."

King Ahasuerus decreed that all the beautiful

young virgins in his kingdom should be brought

to Shushan for his inspection. He was looking for a new

queen, and a beauty pageant was his

method of choice.

Esther was handed a lemon.

Esther was part of these degrading procedures.

But in spite of what must have been an ordeal for a young Jewish woman,

she kept her sweet spirit. Her attitude so impressed Hegai, the

custodian of the women, that she became a favourite.

Others have learned this secret as well. Charles Goodyear's lemon was a prison sentence resulting from a contempt of

court citation. Instead of complaining, he became an assistant in the kitchen.

He then used this sour situation to work on an idea for vulcanizing rubber.

His lemon became our lemonade. Because of Charles Goodyear, we have

better tires,which means better travel and a better

way of life. 

Nothing is so sour

that it can't be

sweetened by

a good attitude.

God doesn't exempt us from experiencing sour fruit.

We live in a fallen world and that means we may find ourselves

in situations as tart as lemons. But God can help us keep our spirits sweet.

We have to ask Him to help us. A sweet testimony can squeeze the juice

out of a sour world.

TrinityJanuary 2010