The Lemonade Stand (8/04/2023)

Wednesday, a friend and I went to the local farmer’s market on the town plaza. We parked our car at the very end of the line of venders and agreed we’d check out the stands first and then as we made our way back to the car, we’d make our purchases. There were all kinds of venders from crafts to fresh vegetables, bakers and canners, and cheesemakers. Then three quarters of the way down the line there was a simple lemonade stand. I stopped to check it out because this was out of the ordinary for our farmer’s market.

The stand consisted of a large cooler of lemonade, two gallon pitchers of pink lemonade, and a stack of cups atop a card table adorned with a sign pitching lemonade for $1 and pink lemonade for $1.50. Behind the stand stood three middle school aged lads. I asked them what the proceeds of the sale would go to if I bought their lemonade. They hem-hawed a bit before agreeing with exchanged looks and nods that it was for them to get their school supplies. I was impressed by their courage and their willingness to put themselves out to get what they needed. I was their age once; I knew that they knew that they could take some teasing or worse from their peers who would pass by. I bought a cup for my friend and I and gave the boys a tip for their courage and tenacity. And in the background, at a picnic table, I spied the mother who was invisible to most but was keeping an eye on the boys.

That lemonade stand has been on my mind for two days. First, it was one of the best glasses of lemonade I’ve had in ages. They had a good product. Second, there were three of them working the small card table stand. They weren’t alone; they had support built in with their business companions. Third, they demonstrated a virtue I wish I saw more of in the world, the willingness to take chances and do the work to get what we need. That simple lad-led lemonade stand on the town plaza presented a model we’d all be blessed if we followed. Fourth, there was a higher power at work behind the scenes.

I’ve thought about the lemonade stand and what it could teach me about life and my journey. I need the LORD. I need to remember the old adage, pray to the LORD and keep rowing to shore. I need to be willing to do the work, but I’d be foolish to leave shore without the LORD as my guide and protector. I need to be willing to work, to strive, to struggle, to pay the dues on my journey. I shouldn’t expect all sunshine and roses. And I’d do well to keep likeminded and spirited companions by my side in my journey and ventures.

All in all, the lemonade stand was my favorite discovery this past week at the market. I keep those lads in my prayers as they prepare for another year of school. And I pray that they never lose this inspired philosophy in life.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.