I eyeballed the clock…time to go.
A gentle afternoon breeze greeted me as I walked to the car. Hardly a cloud in the sky. Lovely.
Not three blocks into my journey to the meeting, I spied a little table, two little chairs, two little children, and a really big pitcher of lemonade.
I glanced at clock in the dashboard. Glanced at the lemonade stand. Glanced back at the clock.
I had to stop. It’s my rule: never pass a lemonade stand.
Time was pressing but the children were more important.
So, I had lemonade.
The 4-year old co-proprietor tipped over backwards in his excitement of having a customer. His sister had to do the pouring while he righted himself and his chair.
I met the financial backing for the local business initiative … the parents. We had a lovely discussion and a new relationship began.
This summer’s plumb line for faith and balance is the lemonade stand.
A plumb line is “a string with a metal weight at one end that, when suspended, points directly towards the earth’s centre of gravity and so is used to determine verticality,” according to the dictionary.
Through the ages, the plumb line holds the standard of “verticality” for all builders. It’s the line by which all is measured. It assures that the wallpaper hangs straight, the sheetrock is placed correctly, and the bricks for the chimney run true vertical.
The lemonade stand will be my plumb line this summer. The children and their families in my neighborhood are too important to drive or walk by. If I am too busy to stop and chat, then I am way too busy with life!
My faith is my “verticality” in this life. My connection to the living Lord calls me to care for the little children. I will care for the children by stopping at their lemonade stands.
Missional Plumb Line
How can you know if your life is free enough to be missional?
Consider adding the neighborhood lemonade stand as your plumb line.
Are you able to stop and support the young entrepeneurs?
Do you have a few minutes to meet and chat with the parents?
What is your plumb line to measure your willingness to reach out?
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Posted by Sharon R. Hoover
1st Photo credit: Conlawprof via photo pin cc
I really like this idea! What a great way to intentionally minister to others and share the Gospel. Thanks so much for sharing this with the Thrive @ Home link-up. I’m pinning it to our Pinterest board! :)
Thanks, Jenni! Lemonade stands have been a great “measure” to remind me to slow down and reach out. I’m delighted it can resonate with others! I have loved visiting the other Thrive@Home posts over the past couple of days. Thanks for hosting!!
Sharon I enjoyed your article. I haven’t seen a lemonade stand in a long time. but I remember having on as a kid. You always make me think.
Hi Sharon! I hope a lemonade stand or two will pop up in your neighborhood this summer … offers some of the most precious moments chatting with the children. Blessings to you! ~Sharon