Don Jacobson - When God Makes Lemonade: True Stories That Amaze and Encourage

PRAISE FOR WHEN GOD MAKES LEMONADE

My friend Don Jacobson has always been an amazing storyteller, with the ability to see and capture powerful truths in the events of our lives. And now in this book you can experience this gift for yourself. The heart-touching stories he shares are wonderful reminders that God is fully with us at all times, including when we have the hardest time seeing it. The encouragement Don shares reminds us that we can see beyond the hardships of this life and be showered with the hope and grace that ultimately come only from a heavenly Father who adores us always.

SHAUNTI FELDHAHN, AUTHOR OF FOR WOMEN ONLY

We all need hope, and this book offers just thata tall glass of refreshing hope. Whether you take in these stories sip by sip or in one big gulp, youll be sweetly encouraged, and your faith in Gods sovereign goodness will be renewed.

ROBIN JONES GUNN, AUTHOR OF VICTIM OF GRACE

AND PRAYING FOR YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND

Don Jacobson weaves together dramatic stories from the lives of everyday Christians to remind the rest of us to look for His touch on our lives. This book will encourage you and give you hope when youre wondering why He doesnt show up in the way you want Him to.

ED UNDERWOOD, PASTOR OF CHURCH OF THE OPEN

DOOR AND AUTHOR OF WHEN GOD BREAKS YOUR HEART

When God Makes Lemonade is an uplifting journey for anyone whos been through something tough. Having recently lost both of my parents, I found that these stories brought me hope and encouragement.

JANICE CANTORE, AUTHOR OF THE PACIFIC COAST JUSTICE SERIES

I have been blessed with the pleasure of knowing Don through his personal journey of developing and refining what he calls a theology of hope. This isnt just an inspirational gift book, but Dons heartbeat and belief that although bad things can happen to good people, God still makes lemonade and never wastes a hurt. Whether for a friend, relative, or yourself, When God Makes Lemonade could be the most life-changing and encouraging book you buy this year.

KEN WYTSMA, AUTHOR OF PURSUING JUSTICE: THE

CALL TO LIVE AND DIE FOR BIGGER THINGS AND LEAD

PASTOR OF ANTIOCH CHURCH IN BEND, OREGON

I love these lemonade stories! Its where life is lived out authentically in the midst of the miraculous. Truly amazing! Truly divine!

KEN RUETTGERS, FORMER NFL LINEMAN FOR THE GREEN

BAY PACKERS AND AUTHOR OF THE HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE:

A DADS GUIDE TO THE POWER OF ROLE MODELING

From the moment I opened When God Makes Lemonade, I was captivated. What great stories! Weaving throughout each true story, the reader will discover a personalized gift just for them, the gift of hope and assurance that God is with you, always!

TRUDY BEYAK, AN AWARD-WINNING INVESTIGATIVE

JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR OF THE MOTHER HEART OF GOD

Don Jacobson has spent most of his life pushing others into the spotlight. In this book he uses his incredible gift of storytelling to remind us that God consistently uses the things that go wrong as a platform to demonstrate his goodness. When God Makes Lemonade is a great gift to a hurting culture that needs a fresh drink of hope.

REGGIE JOINER, FOUNDER OF THE RETHINK GROUP AND AUTHOR OF

THINK ORANGE: IMAGINE THE IMPACT WHEN CHURCH AND FAMILY COLLIDE

When God Makes Lemonade is not a book about how all our pain gets neatly transformed into a package with an oversized bow; rather, it is a collection of glimpses into Gods goodness and surprising blessings in the midst of our suffering and often wayward choices. For those needing some lemon drop-sized encouragements, these stories will prove sweet.

KELLY MINTER, SPEAKER AND AUTHOR OF

NEHEMIAH: A HEART THAT CAN BREAK

Our world is fraught with darkness and brokenness. These stories remind us that the light has not been overcome, and that there is, in fact, hope. And hope, I believe, is something we all need.

DANAE YANKOSKI, COWRITER WITH FRANCIS

CHAN OF CRAZY LOVE AND FORGOTTEN GOD

This collection of stories is all about the amazing redemptive love of our God. Joshua received this command from the Lord: Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (Josh. 1:9 ESV). Reading these compelling stories of how God works even in the darkest moments is an inspiring reminder that God is, in fact, with us, and He will always make a way.

DAVE BURCHETT, AUTHOR OF WHEN BAD

CHRISTIANS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE

Sometimes life gives us lemons, but When God Makes Lemonade opens our eyes to the beautiful way God uses our hardships, our toughest moments, and our lemons to bring hope and light into the world. Reading this book is an encouraging reminder that God is with us, and Hes for us, even in our desperation.

LINDSEY NOBLES, DIRECTOR OF SPEAKERS & STRATEGIC

PARTNERSHIPS, FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY

WHEN GOD
MAKES
LEMONADE

2013 Donald C. Jacobson

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
data is on file with the Library of Congress and available upon request.

ISBN 978-0-8499-6470-1

Printed in the United States of America

13 14 15 16 17 RRD 5 4 3 2 1

When God Makes Lemonade is dedicated to single moms and their kids:
you need encouragement more than anyone,
and your faithfulness encourages us.
Thank you.

CONTENTS

Don Jacobson

Michelle Close Mills

Dave Burchett

Ron Fazio Jr.

Kasey Van Norman

Dixie Phillips

Jay Cookingham

Jean Matthew Hall

JoAnne Potter

Tracy Healy

Mary Potter Kenyon

Evan Osgood

Dave Gist

Gina Graham

Ross Gale

Mariane Holbrook

Bertha Raz

Kim Anthony

Veta Shepherd

Matt Hart

LaTosha Brown

Stephen Clover

Judy Cocoris

Melanie Elliott

John Shepherd

Cammy Scholz

Jody McComas

Rick Wages

Angel Chung Cutno

Penny Whipps

Yamaris Rosa

Carla Wicks

Susan Rickey

Ray and Betty Whipps

Jaclyn Miller

Caryn Rich

Todd Gorton

Kimberly Sutton

April LaLand

Marybeth McCullum