Every summer of my childhood, I looked forward to a county fair. Several booths offered games with prizes. When I failed to win, the booth operator occasionally said, “Close but no cigar.”

Close but no cigar means almost, but not quite, successful.

That happens when we:

• Barely miss the bull’s eye on a target
• Almost win a contest
• Make a close but incorrect answer

Years ago, cigars were a frequent prize.

The Free Dictionary says, “This expression comes from the old US custom of giving a cigar as a prize in fairground games of skill.”

Close but no cigar can encourage or discourage.

Some of us try again and try harder. Others give up in defeat.

Keep working toward worthwhile goals.

Don’t worry about what matters little. Trinkets from fairs rarely last. Focus on goals with eternal value.

Everyone falls short of perfection.

We miss the mark in life. For that reason, Jesus, the only perfect one, came to pay the price for our imperfections. Jesus offers life’s greatest prize, forgiveness for our sins and eternal life with Him.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 3:23; 6:23 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Klotz, Lindy Pierce, and Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion. Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.

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