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Don’t Know If We’re Afoot or on Horseback

Don’t Know If We’re Afoot or on Horseback

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Don’t Know if We’re Afoot or on Horseback-horses in field with stone fence in forefrontOften caregivers don’t know if we’re afoot or on horseback. We are spread so thin, we meet ourselves coming or going. However, we are not alone. That happens to many people.

When we don’t know if we’re afoot or on horseback, we don’t know what we’re doing.

We are so confused we can’t remember:

  • What we have done
  • What we are doing now
  • What we need to do next

We lose our sense of direction and awareness of our actions.

Not knowing if we are afoot or on horseback often results from feeling overwhelmed.

Causes include:

Too much to do and too little time leave us bumfuzzled.

A day away does our bodies and minds good.

Whether we sit, walk, or ride, we need to rest and relax. A trip through the countryside refreshes and restores me. What helps you?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Thanks to Lori Carol Maloy for the suggestion.

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Cooking with Gas

Cooking with Gas

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Cooking with Gas--Bernice ChildressOne of my husband’s caregivers and I were dealing with a difficult situation. When we finally had everything working well, she said, “Now we’re cooking with gas!” That was a new expression for me.

This saying originated when gas stoves began replacing wood burning stoves.

My caregiver friend explained that gas stoves were considered a wonderful invention. Although wood burning stoves made delicious meals, they required hours of work.

  • Chopping wood
  • Starting a fire
  • Deciding when to start cooking
  • Wiping sweat during hot summer months
  • Cleaning ashes from the stove after cooking

Plus, cooking temperatures were hard to control.

Gas stoves were easier to use and resulted in fewer mistakes.

Cooks were more likely to achieve the results they desired. My mom loved her gas stove.

Cooking with gas means we achieve success.

Like a cook who prepares a gourmet meal or bakes a perfect cake, we get something right.

We successfully:

  • Solve a problem.
  • Correct an error.
  • Receive a promotion.

We do our work well.

If we are cooking with gas, people may think we work wonders.

Whether we create perfect meals or the perfect ball team, those who share our success love it.

Whatever we do, let’s encourage one another to do our best.

If we want to take the cake, we can’t use half-baked ideas. Neither can we do half-baked work.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8 NIV).

Thanks to J.D. Wininger and Rita Smalley for the suggestion.

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In All My Born Days

In All My Born Days

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In all my born days--Niagara Falls“Never in all my born days have I seen such a thing.” In our neck of the woods, we used to hear people make such statements.

I don’t remember ever saying it. However, I thought something similar the first time I saw Niagara Falls. A right smart of water rolls over those falls.

In all my born days means in all my life.

It refers to what we:

  • See
  • Hear
  • Feel
  • Experience

What happened is totally new.

An event never experienced in all my born days often results in surprise or shock.

I have not heard or read this expression for years. Yet I love the unique way it conveys people’s reactions.

It reminds me of conversations on the old Beverly Hillbillies television show.

Have you ever heard anyone use this expression?

If so, do you remember who said it or where? I am curious about its use in other areas. Thank you in advance for taking the time to comment.

“Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy” (Psalm 98:8 NIV).

Thanks to Kristy Horine for the suggestion.

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Don’t Steal My Joy

Don’t Steal My Joy

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Don't Steal My Joy--daisies with child holding one between his toesI love to make people happy, don’t you? Occasionally someone says an action or gift is too much. My frequent response: “Don’t steal my joy.”

Don’t steal my joy tells people to allow us to do something special for them.

If they love our gifts, it fills us with joy. We delight in helping them or offering acts of kindness.

We don’t want them to say it is too much. Or that we should not do it. We want them to accept it and enjoy it as much as we enjoy sharing.

Neither should we steal anyone else’s joy.

I almost did that recently. A friend brought thoughtful gifts for my husband. They would make his life and mine much easier. When I wanted to pay for them, she responded with a smile, “Don’t steal my joy.” She had heard me say that and enjoyed the opportunity to say it back to me.

No one can steal the joy we find in Jesus.

Jesus offers us the gift of forgiveness, a future home in heaven, and joy whatever our present circumstances.

People may mistreat us. Troubles may surround us. Life may throw us for a loop, and our emotions may tumble. Nevertheless, Jesus fills us to the brim with everlasting joy. Nothing and no one can take that away.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven” (Luke 6:23 NIV).

Thanks to Carol Edwards for the suggestion. Image by Christiane from Pixabay.

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Look What the Cat Dragged in

Look What the Cat Dragged in

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Look What the Cat Dragged in-Two cats in a yard, one with a mouse dangling from its mouthLook what the cat dragged in may refer to what a cat catches. It often refers to a person.

Look what the cat dragged in expresses surprise at someone’s appearance.

The surprise may result from the person being there. We have not seen them in a long time and don’t expect them. Or the person is part of a group but has been inactive. We often use the expression to welcome them.

Other times, the expression refers to the way a person looks. Like a mouse that receives rough treatment from a cat, the person may appear:

  • Wild
  • Dirty
  • Uncombed
  • Wrinkled

Look what the cat dragged in often includes humor.

The humor may or may not be shared by the person described.

This expression includes several variations.

  • Look what the cat’s dragged in.
  • Look what the cat’s drug in.
  • Look what the cat drug in.
  • Look what the cats drug in.

Jesus calls us to welcome one another whatever our circumstances or appearance.

Whether someone looks like a million bucks or poor as a church mouse, our call remains the same. Welcome them in Jesus’ name. Who knows when roles may reverse with the shoe on the other foot.

 “Stop judging by mere appearances.” (John 7:24 NIV).

Thanks to D J Turner for the suggestion. Image by rihaij from Pixabay.

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Diddly-squat

Diddly-squat

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Diddly-squat-open blank pages with a penSometimes, I stare at a blank page or a blank screen and write diddly-squat. Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch.

Diddly-squat means nothing.

Much that we value in life amounts to diddly-squat. It holds no lasting worth.

We desire and acquire:

  • Expensive homes
  • The latest styles
  • Social status

However, none of those mean anything when we get to the end of the road.

We may know diddly squat about certain information or skills.

For example, I know little or nothing about:

  • Engineering
  • Trigonometry
  • Air traffic control

Financially, we may have diddly-squat.

  • Empty bank accounts
  • Unpaid bills
  • No income

Our pockets are empty and our resources have gone down the drain.

Agreements occasionally amount to nothing.

That happens with:

  • Broken promises
  • Ignored business contracts
  • Failed relationships

Jesus offers a better way.

  • Treat others with honesty and respect.
  • Give our best.
  • Invest in the eternal.

“If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:16 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion.

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Copycat

Copycat

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Copycat-Cat reflected in a mirrorChildren and youth are great copycats. They see something they like and mimic it.

Copycat can be a noun, verb, or adjective. 

  1. A copycat is someone who imitates another person (noun).

They see how someone looks or acts and want to be just like them. I saw the perfect example when I served as a juvenile counselor. A young runaway returned from a northern city to his rural southern home. He walked into my office with

  • A new swagger
  • Hat cocked to the side of his head
  • The most exaggerated accent I had ever heard

  1. To copycat is the act of imitating (verb).

The young juvenile was funny but did no harm when he changed his dress and speech. He did hurt others when he followed in the footsteps of relatives who broke the law.

  1. Copycat also describes something or someone (adjective).

That young man displayed obvious copycat behavior. It was not his own but belonged to someone he admired.

We need to choose our role models carefully.

Imitating the right people typically keeps us on the straight and narrow. Following negative examples keeps us in hot water.

We are made in the image of God. May our lives reflect our Maker.

“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good” (1 John 1:11 NIV)

Thanks to Cindy Shoemaker for the suggestion. Image by Gundula Vogel from Pixabay.

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Chew on

Chew on

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Chew on--puppy chewing on a shoeBabies like to chew on whatever they find. Human babies keep teething rings wet with their efforts. Puppies often chew shoes and other non-food items. Their gnawing may last for hours.

To chew on something means to think about it.

We consider it from different viewpoints. Our thinking, like puppy gnawing, often lasts a long time.

We rarely like to chew on tough circumstances.

Although we enjoy chewing the fat with friends and family, we don’t want to think about problems.

Life’s struggles come from all directions.

  • Difficult relationships
  • Illness
  • Death
  • Work stress

We do enjoy chewing on positive situations or possibilities.

  • Special events with family and friends
  • Vacations
  • Births
  • Promotions

When we chew on all God has done, everything else fades in comparison.

We know our current concerns will not last forever. However, God will. His faithfulness offers hope for now and eternity.

“I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:12 NIV).

Thanks to Sarah Burns Hampshire for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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At Your Wits’ End

At Your Wits’ End

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At Your Wits' End--railroad track with end missingHave you ever been at your wits’ end? Like a train conductor with no track, you wonder, What now?

At your wits’ end means you have no idea what to do.

You have tried everything you can think of, but nothing works. You feel:

At your wits’ end may result from your problem or someone else’s.

  • A difficult project or repair
  • An unruly child
  • Unexplained delays in services

You run out of patience, and frustration grows.

Your distress often affects other people. They see your negative reaction, or you hurt them with your words or deeds.

This idiom has a long history.

The Free Dictionary says it “appeared in Piers Ploughman (c. 1377).” We also find it in the Bible.

When at your wits’ end, seek guidance.

Someone else may be able to help you figure out an answer. With both major and minor problems, two heads are usually better than one. Turning to God for peace and direction is even better.

What joy when we finally understand what to do.

“They were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress” (Psalm 107:27-28).

Thanks to Meghan Bowker, Editor, Missions Mosaic for the suggestion. Image by Niek Verlaan from Pixabay.

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Red Herring

Red Herring

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Red Herring-school of fishFew of us like to discuss difficult issues. Instead, we turn attention from the facts with a red herring.

This expression refers to a distraction from crucial matters.

A red herring is a dried smoked fish. Smoking to preserve the herring creates its red color.

The Free Dictionary says the expression may have come from using the fish’s strong smell to distract hunting dogs from a trail.

It may also have come from a writer “who used the scent-laying image as a metaphor.” Mystery writers still give misleading clues about “who-done-it.”

Children frequently use a red herring.

They don’t want to:

  • Complete chores.
  • Work on school assignments.
  • Admit when they disobey.

Instead, they:

  • Complain about unfair rules.
  • Ask irrelevant questions.
  • Talk about another child’s behavior.

A red herring from adults causes much greater harm.

Like children, we distract attention from:

  • Responsibilities we want to avoid
  • Main issues
  • Poor choices

We focus away from our involvement in:

  • Abuse, neglect, or other criminal activity
  • Political misdeeds
  • Business errors

Rather than do what we should, we:

  • Blame innocent people.
  • Focus on unrelated issues.
  • Make self-centered decisions.

A red herring often misleads as well as distracts.

We don’t just chase rabbits. We deliberately point people in the wrong direction.

Enjoy novels with red herrings. Avoid red herrings in real life.

“Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you’” (Matthew 24:4 NIV).

Thanks to Kay Emerick for the suggestion. Image by Hans from Pixabay.

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