Originally self published, God Makes Lemonade is a compilation of true stories which encourage people in sour circumstances that God is at work making lemonade in their lives. That means readers will be able to see divine direction in Lemonade stories. The best stories focus on the compelling and dramatic events that make up the three parts of the lemonade outline — sour circumstance, surprise, and sweet outcome — showing God at work in the process.

Some, but not all, include conversion stories. But all start with an external event such as adopting a child, recovering from an illness, losing a job, etc. These external events are what make every story different and compelling. Stories are true and sent in by ordinary people, though they’re often anonymised or publishedn under another name.

“We all have lemonade stories,” says originator of the concept, Don Jacobson, “so what would happen if we could share them with the people around the world who need them most? That’s the dream of the ‘God Makes Lemonade’ series: to publish true stories to encourage people in sour circumstances that God is at work making lemonade.”

Stories often mirror accounts like that of Tracy Healy. Hers is the beautiful story of a severely abused child who finds the true love of a mother. She told her story as an encouragement to anyone who has been told “never” either about themselves or someone they love.

Doctors originally said that her son would never roll over, sit up, understand anything, etc. By God’s grace and healing, he is doing those things and more.” God is so much bigger than all of the “nevers” in our world,” she says, “and hopefully my son’s journey can be a reminder of that for others during their own hard times.”

Do you know someone who needs some encouragement? Perhaps that someone is you.
In God Makes Lemonade, author Don Jacobson has collected real-life stories from around the world that show everyday folks discovering unexpected sweetness in the midst of sour circumstances. Some are funny, others are sobering and more than a few will bring tears of amazement. But these true stories all have one thing in common: hope.

There’s no question that life gives us “lemons,” like issues with health, employment and relationships. But when those lemons become lemonade, it’s as refreshing as a cold drink on a hot summer day. It’s true that in life “stuff” happens, but as you’ll see in these stories, Lemonade Happens too!
256 pages