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Rat Race

Rat Race

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As much as I hate rats, I feel sorry for them. The poor things never escape their rat race for survival. Not only do they compete against one another for food, people try to kill them.

A rat race means constant competition.

People compete for:

  • Money
  • Power
  • Success
  • Social status

They struggle against one another for the best position. Although they may not kill one another, they do often damage the work or reputation of competitors.

In addition, constant stress destroys people’s health. Intense pressure leaves little time to relax. Instead, they end up running on fumes.

Many people decide to escape their rat race.

Rat Race--city traffic jamThey choose a slower, more relaxed lifestyle.

When I think of a rat race, I usually imagine big cities. I love to visit New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago. However, I never want to live there. I hate traffic jams and daily crowds.

Instead, give me country life with wide open spaces. My little garden spot of the world suits me fine. I prefer the middle of nowhere to crowded city streets.

Of course, people in the country live with stress too. A too-busy schedule happens everywhere.

All people need moments to relax.

A slower pace gives time to

  • Enjoy the moment
  • Experience all of life
  • Recognize the importance of relationships
  • Give of oneself for a greater good

Work hard, but live well.

“Always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else” (1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV).

Thanks to Shelia Price for the suggestion. Photo by Rebekah Blocker on Unsplash.

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Too Many Irons in the Fire

Too Many Irons in the Fire

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Too Many Irons in the Fire--Anthony SalyersAnthony Salyers demonstrates the work of an old-time blacksmith shop during Greg Lawhorn’s Molasses Day a few years ago. Anthony knows not to put too many irons in the fire. If he does, he will probably ruin part of his work.

Many of us have not learned that lesson. We fail to limit ourselves. Instead, we stay busy as bees with too many activities at one time.

Too many irons in the fire means we try to do more than we can handle.

A blacksmith must limit the number of irons in the fire when making horseshoes or other items. We must also limit what we do, if we want to do anything well.

Although we know better, we still try to do too much.

We overload ourselves with:

  • Work commitments
  • Family responsibilities
  • Community events

Often vacations get overloaded as well. We cram as much as we can into the short time we have. As a result, we return to work exhausted.

With too many irons in the fire, something will eventually fail.

  • Our work becomes less than the best.
  • We get sick.
  • Our families struggle.
  • No one’s needs get met.

Rather than overdo, why not do what we can do well?

Focus on the most important. If we have time and energy, we can add more. If we see we cannot do it all, let someone help.

“You’re going to wear yourself out—and if you do, what will happen to the people?” (Exodus 18:18 TLB).

Thanks to Emily Akin for the suggestion.

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Piping Hot

Piping Hot

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I love the piping hot sound of chicken fajitas fresh off the grill. Like high-pitched musical pipes, steam sizzles and rises from the skillet, music to my ears. I want to eat immediately, if not sooner.

Piping Hot--fajitas on a grillAnything piping hot is very hot.

Other piping hot favorites include:

  • Taco soup
  • Chicken casserole
  • Roast beef with potatoes, onions, and carrots
  • Grilled fish

Yum! As a friend used to say, “Those are good groceries.” They stick to the ribs.

I put any leftover food in the refrigerator, so it will not spoil. Too long at room temperature could cause food poisoning.

Spiritual appetites also need to remain piping hot.

Pass It On, a favorite song from my youth, declares that one small spark gets a fire going. It encourages singers and listeners to share God’s love with the people around them.

Each day, I choose whether to spread the fire of God’s love. So do you, dear friend. Warm is not good enough. God offers and expects the best. May that message spread like wildfire.

 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16 NIV).

What is your favorite piping hot food? Please comment below.

Thanks to Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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Swing for the Fences

Swing for the Fences

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Swing for the Fences--softball playing hitting a ballI always wanted to hit a ball over the fence when I played softball. I never did. No matter how hard I would swing for the fences, I could not do it.

A few of my teammates hit balls over the fence with no problem. I could run fast, but I could not hit hard. However, I never stopped trying.

To swing for the fences means to swing as hard as possible.

  • Ballplayers hope for a home run.
  • Businesses aim for great success.
  • Individuals focus on one main goal

To swing for the fences involves great risk.

  • Ball players risk missing the ball and striking out.
  • Businesses risk losing everything.
  • Individuals chance serious loss.

The win is not always worth the risk.

A careful swing that hits the ball beats a hard swing that misses. Likewise, taking time to make the best decision beats a get-rich-quick scheme that fails. Too many people go out on a limb with no easy way back.

Never risk relationships.

Swinging for the fences is not worth losing:

  • Marriage
  • Children
  • Friends
  • Reputation

Weigh the costs. Swing for the fences when it will hurt no one. Swing softly to keep relationships from getting off base.

“It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good” (Galatians 4:18 NIV).

Thanks to Larry Alston for the suggestion and to Richard Robards for the photo.

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No Ifs, Ands, or Buts

No Ifs, Ands, or Buts

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No Ifs, Ands, or Buts in a red circle with X over it“If you miss more than three classes, you fail. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.” Few students want to hear those words. Definitely not if they just missed a third class.

“If you come home past curfew, you are grounded for a month. No ifs, ands, or buts.” Teenagers don’t like to hear that, especially if they just came home an hour past curfew.

No ifs, ands, or buts means no excuses.

 People who say this want no:

  • Arguments
  • Compromises
  • Explanations
  • Protests

They expect others to do as instructed.

  • Parents expect children to obey.
  • Bosses expect workers to finish on time.
  • Teachers expect students to complete assignments.

No ifs, ands, or buts also means certainty.

No doubt about it, the expected event will happen, rain or shine.

  • Children promise parents they will obey.
  • Workers assure bosses they will finish their work before the deadline.
  • Students tell teachers they will complete their assignments before the next class.

Whether they finish early or work down to the wire, they will do it.

Everything works better when everyone meets their obligations.

A friend said she has often heard, “If ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ were candy and nuts, we would all have a Merry Christmas.” She explained that people often say “if” or “but” instead of having faith all will work out exactly as it should.

  • If anything needs to be done, do it.
  • If anything needs to be said, say it.

No ifs, ands, or buts.

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching’” (John 14:23).

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Thanks to Jeri Stone for the suggestion.

Chasing Rabbits

Chasing Rabbits

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Chasing Rabbits: wild roses among trees We often hear dogs chasing rabbits behind our house. They may or may not catch any rabbits. However, we know the chase ends when the barking stops.

Many of us also enjoy chasing rabbits. Whether we have seen rabbits or not, we have chased them. The chase may occur:

  • Inside or outside
  • At home or away
  • In our minds or in our words and actions
  • By ourselves or with others
  • Because we are bored, lazy, or tired

We chase rabbits when we get off the subject.

Rather than talk about business, we discuss other issues.

  • Students ask unimportant questions, hoping to avoid classwork.
  • Workers discuss sports or unrelated topics with bosses.
  • Family members avoid difficult issues.

Chasing rabbits usually causes no harm.

We get back on subject and do what we have to do. Many teachers, bosses, and family members enjoy brief breaks too.

Occasionally chasing rabbits leads to disaster.

We love to watch rabbits in our garden spot of the world. However, we don’t love the problems they cause.

Those cute little creatures, that appear all ears, damage:

  • Gardens
  • Trees
  • Shrubs

Likewise, we love chasing rabbits. However, it keeps us from important work. If we fail to stay focused:

  • Grades drop.
  • Businesses fail.
  • Relationships suffer.

Chasing Rabbits--rabbit sittingRabbits are fun when they cause no damage. Chasing rabbits is fun, if we eventually tackle the work before us.

Enjoy breaks, but get the job done.

“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means” (2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion.

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Running on Fumes

Running on Fumes

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Running on Fumes-Andrea GiordanoPlease welcome my friend Andrea Giordano as today’s guest writer. I met Andrea when she was Executive Director of TESOL and ESL Programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. She is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly. You can study with Andrea at the following places:
– English with Andrea podcast 
– The Study With Andrea YouTube channel 

I was driving a friend’s truck last summer when, all of a sudden, the gas light came on. I was miles from a gas station and didn’t know if I would make it to a gas station in time. For the next few miles, I was dangerously close to running out of gas. I was running on fumes.

Just like that truck, I’ve had times in my life when I was running on fumes. These were times I had given all my energy away. I found myself with little ability to handle life easily because of how tired I was.

Running on Fumes--race car with fumesRunning on fumes means you are tired or have little emotional energy. 

  • Tired
  • Emotionally tired
  • Exhausted

There are many situations where you can be running on fumes. You might be a student who stayed up all night finishing a research paper but still have to show up for an early morning class.

You might be a mom with a newborn baby where you never get more than three hours of sleep at a time.

You might be locked down to protect yourself from COVID-19. Even though you are safer at home, you feel lonely and overwhelmed by financial pressures and the constant bad news on TV.

In all of those scenarios, you would be running on fumes.

When I feel like I’m running on fumes, I do a few things to refuel:

  1. Get some time alone to pray about what is really exhausting me. A lot of times, just identifying an underlying stress or issue helps me feel like I can do something about it.
  2. I try to go to bed earlier and drink more water.
  3. I listen to worship music and remember that God is strong enough to help me through whatever I’m facing.
  4. I read Scripture, especially verses like Matthew 11:28 (NIV), “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened [running on fumes], and I will give you rest.”

What helps you when you are running on fumes? Please comment below.

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Worth One’s Salt

Worth One’s Salt

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Worth One's Salt--saltshaker over a dish of saltMy friend Martha said her father described a few of her boyfriends as not worth the salt that went in their bread. He meant they were not worth much.

To be worth one’s salt means a person does a job well.

According to The Phrase Finder, “To be ‘worth one’s salt’ is to be worth one’s pay. Our word salary derives from the Latin salarium, (sal is the Latin word for salt).”

A person worth one’s salt earns respect because of good work. He or she gives a good day’s work for a good day’s pay rather than give a lick and a promise.

Salt adds flavor to food.

If not overdone, salt makes many foods taste better.

Salt also preserves food.

It helps prevent spoiling.

Like salt, people can add flavor to and help preserve the world.

Anyone makes the world a better place to live when he or she.

  • Does the best work possible
  • Takes care of God’s creation
  • Helps and respects others
  • Shares God’s love

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50 NIV).

Thanks to Martha Patton for the suggestion.

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The Whole Nine Yards

The Whole Nine Yards

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The Whole Nine Yards--shelves of fabricMy friend Karen collects fabric. She sews it into clothing, curtains, cushions, and quilts. You name it, Karen sews it. She does the whole nine yards. She also makes it look as easy as pie.

We don’t know the origin of the whole nine yards. A few ideas have been suggested, but none can be proved. Possible ideas relate to:

  • Fabric
  • Cement
  • Distance

We measure all those in yards.

The whole nine yards means all of something.

  • The total amount
  • A full measure
  • The entire distance
  • Everything

The Whole Nine Yards--three quilts on rackKaren sews about anything, and all her work is amazing. Other people run long distances, work years on projects, or never miss their favorite activities. Most of us spend time and money on our greatest interests.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Whatever we do, let’s do our best. Let’s go the whole nine yards in:

  • Caring for family, friends, or anyone in need
  • Sharing our faith
  • Working hard
  • Giving of ourselves to others

“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives” (Titus 3:14).

Thanks to Brad Leverett and Carole Fite for the suggestion. Thanks to Karen Bryant Hall and Quilts by Karen for the photos.

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Good to Go

Good to Go

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Good to Go--road leading to covered bridge“Are you ready?”

“Yes, we are good to go.”

When planning a trip, we like to hear that news.

Good to go means we are ready.

Excited to hit the trail, we have:

  • Prepared
  • Packed (but no excess baggage)
  • Repaired, if necessary
  • Checked and double-checked

Good to go includes more than travel.

It may refer to our:

  • Health (a return to good health)
  • Possessions (all work well)
  • Activities (ready to start or restart)
  • Work (complete and correct)

Sometimes good to go means ready to stay.

At times, we must stay home because of health issues. When that happens, people call, text, or message to check on us. Questions usually include:

  • Are you okay?
  • Do you need anything?

Once I said, “We are good to go, or – in that case – stay.” What I meant was:

  • We were okay.
  • We did not need anything or to go anywhere.

In this life, let’s stay good to go, whether we stay or go. For the next life, let’s definitely get ready to go.

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44 NIV).

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