Words of Wisdom - The Lemonade Stand
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink (Jn. 7:37).
"Here's the thing about being the one always standing behind the lemonade stand. You forget that you get thirsty too. You forget how to let someone else pour for you" (Pastor June, S1 E3, "Give Drink to the Thirsty," Sweet Magnolias).
I love Sweet Magnolias. Some of the actors appear a bit stiff as if not accustomed to acting. Sometimes, the writing doesn't have the type of flow that I think it should. Yet, I appreciate that it's a faith centered show, its primary characters are diverse, and it emphasizes community, faith, forgiveness. One of the primary characters, Helen, is speaking with Pastor June to express frustration with a business deadline that is in jeopardy. Helen is an attorney with "big shoulders" - nearly everyone wants her legal advice and knowledge. She's a Black woman with two White best friends - and she is relatable to me in many ways.
Helen is releasing stress by engaging in a "venting" session with Pastor June (who is also Black). June reminds Helen about a lemonade stand that she had with her two best friends when she was a child. Then, she allows this part of Helen's history to serve as a metaphor, implying that she is always the one "behind the lemonade stand" serving others. Yet, she doesn't know how to let anyone pour for her.
It's one of those statements of wisdom that you likely won't even hear unless you have also been behind that lemonade stand. If you find yourself always sitting for people to share their feelings, or "pick your brain" then you are also behind that lemonade stand, serving others. There may be a temporary benefit to you that you have helped others. But, the more people demand that you pour for them, the less you become aware of your own thirst.
Let these words of wisdom provide you with refreshment: Don't forget to let someone else do the pouring sometime. Do not neglect your own thirst.
Dr. CL Nash, the Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network © 2024