This is a collection of true stories about people who have experienced some very trying situations. The premise of the book is that despite the difficulty, the person or persons involved in the different stories were able to get something good out of the bad situation–that God made a sweet drink of lemonade out of the sour circumstances they lived through.
Some of these stories are like that. Individuals survived a difficult time period, but ultimately when looking back through the perspective of time, a really good thing came out of the trying circumstances. The people involved had a nice sweet drink of lemonade in the end, or at least, eventually. But to be honest, some of these stories are really hard to read, and the supposed “good outcome” is a stretch. In other words, sometimes that drink of lemonade is pretty sour in the end.
I understand that real life isn’t always neat and pretty. But the author states on the front cover of the book that the stories inside will “amaze and encourage.” To be honest, I did not feel encouraged by many of these stories. Instead I felt pretty glum and downcast by some of them. I commend the men and women in the more difficult stories for still seeing lemonade in the end. I do admire the people for holding onto their faith in God despite some heart rendering situations.
At the end, Don Jacobson states he wants to write more of these type of books. He also gives his contact information for anyone who would like to contribute a true story.
The author promises the accounts in this book will be encouraging. Although he tells many incredible stories, the bottom line is many of these narratives leave you feeling sad and frustrated. Given the book fails on its promise to encourage, I can only give it 3 stars.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
Author’s website, contact him with a story: GodMakesLemonade.com
Facebook: facebook.com/godmakeslemonade
Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LemonadeHappens
