Blog - Page 55 of 69 - Diana Derringer

Turn Over a New Leaf

January 19, 2016 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

I always thought of a leaf on a tree when I heard the expression turn over a new leaf. I knew it meant people wanted to change. So, I thought of new leaves growing on trees or leaves changing colors.

A little checking proved me wrong.

I had the meaning right.

If we turn over a new leaf, we:

Want to do better than we have in the past
Plan a fresh start
Change our attitude or behavior
Leave our past behind

I had the origin wrong.

The expression refers to turning to a new page in a book. Another name for page is leaf. Therefore, when we turn over a new leaf, we start a clean page in our lives. We begin again.

Whether talking about leaves on a tree or leaves in a book, the meaning remains the same. We change for the better.

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).

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Go Against the Grain

January 12, 2016 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

If we work with wood, we don’t usually go against the grain. We work in the natural direction of the wood’s fibers. That is true whether we work with new wood or old. It is also true whether we:

Sand the wood to make it smooth
Paint or stain it
Clean or polish it

Years ago, I put new stain on a beautiful piece of furniture. In one spot, I brushed against the grain. That one mistake stood out from all the rest.

In life, if we go against the grain, we go against what we want to do. That often means standing firm against popular opinion.

Our natural desire leads us to follow the crowd. Standing firm for what we believe can be difficult when few people stand with us. Yet, the crowd is not always right.

So how do we decide the direction to go?

Avoid

Going along with everyone else just because it is easy
Going against the grain simply for attention

Do

Educate ourselves
Choose what is right, whether it goes against the grain or not.

“Hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NIV).

Thanks to Suellen Shaw for the idea.

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

Second Fiddle

January 5, 2016 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

I can’t play a fiddle – first fiddle or second fiddle. I tried to learn from my father. My efforts were not successful.

Fiddle is another name for violin. The music style makes it different.

In an orchestra, second violin supports the first violin. First violin usually plays melody while second violin plays harmony. As the name suggests, second violin has a secondary role.

Therefore, if we play second fiddle to someone, the other person gets noticed more. She gets more credit. People often think the second fiddle role is less important or second best. For example, a vice president plays second fiddle to president.

Four things we need to remember about playing second fiddle:

1. Someone needs to play second fiddle.
2. With hard work, we may someday play first.
3. Both roles are important.
4. The two together make beautiful music.

Whether we lead or play second fiddle, let’s play to the best of our ability.

“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD” (Psalm 150:3-6 NIV).

Thanks to Rachel DeCoursey for the Campbellsville University orchestra photo.

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One Step at a Time

December 29, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

We climb the highest mountain and walk through the lowest valley the same way – one step at a time. We place one foot in front of the other over and over again. Little by little we move forward.

We do the same emotionally. Whether we feel on top of the world or in the deepest depression, we keep going, one step at a time. Faced with a hard row to hoe, we do what we need to do now. Then we take the next step.

Good teachers guide us one step at a time. If we move too fast or change the order, we often fail. If we take our time and follow directions, we usually succeed.

I rarely make New Year resolutions. If I did, I think this would make a good one. For this year, I want to take:

One step at a time
One day at a time
One task at a time

This one thing I know: Whether our journey fills us with joy or sorrow, we never have to walk alone. If we invite Him, God will walk with us every step of the way.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV).

What New Year resolution have you made? Please comment.

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Tis the Season

December 22, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

The song “Deck the Halls ” tells us tis the season (it is the season) to be jolly.

Children write letters to Santa.
We shop for gifts.
Stores sell more in a few weeks than the rest of the year.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

We decorate houses, yards, and businesses.
Christmas trees pop up everywhere.
Music rings from businesses, bells, and choirs.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

We read Twas the Night before Christmas.
We watch Christmas movies.
We practice Christmas plays.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

We eat, bake, and eat again.
We attend parties.
We visit family.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

Charlie Brown yelled, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus told him, simply and beautifully.

That holy night a Savior came who changed our world. Will you let Him change your life?

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)

What does Christmas mean to you? Please comment.

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As the Crow Flies

December 15, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

If we measure distance as the crow flies, we measure in a straight line. Crows are smart birds. They fly the shortest route to get where they want to go.

I have lived in the country most of my life. I love it. One of the fun parts is giving people directions.

In the past we had no GPS and few road signs or mile markers. As a result, people often came up to our house and asked how to get somewhere.

We told them to go past churches, large trees, or barns. Sometimes we said to go over a big hill or around a sharp curve. We often said the distance was “a little way” or “a far piece.”

One of my favorite expressions: “It’s not that far as the crow flies.” That sounds good for crows. They fly straight.

We are not crows. We must go over those hills and around those curves. We have to pass those barns and churches. The crow’s direct route is closer, but we can’t fly.

In life we have daily choices. We choose the roads we travel by foot and in our cars. We also choose our life goals – our paths for daily living.

Will we choose straight paths, clearly marked and easy to follow?
Will we select routes off the beaten path, beautiful but harder to travel?
Will we take forbidden paths, filled with danger?

As Robert Frost said, our decisions make “all the difference.”

“Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path” (Psalm 27:11 NIV).

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Hit the Trail

December 8, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 16 comments

I’m almost always ready to hit the trail (or hit the road). Our family loves to travel. Therefore, when someone says it is time to hit the trail, I pack my luggage and go.

A friend recently hit the trail on an unexpected journey. She was out of state celebrating a baby’s birth. As she traveled home, a grandchild called. The little girl begged her grandmother to visit her in another state.

My friend had never used GPS. Neither had she traveled from where she was to where her grandchild lives. Her desire to see her grandchild outweighed her fear of the unknown. She:

Pulled off the road
Found a GPS app
Entered her information
Trusted GPS to take her where she wanted to go

She made every turn her app said to take. For two-and-one-half hours she traveled through lovely little towns. She wondered if she was receiving correct directions. Yet, she trusted GPS to lead her.

She made it to her granddaughter’s house by traveling off the beaten path.

Several times during that drive, my friend had the same thought. What if we listened to God like we do GPS? If so, we would be where we need to be.

Of course, GPS devices and apps occasionally lead us the wrong direction. God’s guidance never fails.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Thanks to Suellen Shaw for sharing her experience.

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Watch Your Step

December 1, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 11 comments

“You better watch your step.” Have you heard that from a parent, teacher, or boss? When it happens, we know we have pushed all the wrong buttons. We are in trouble or soon will be, unless we change our behavior.

If we don’t watch our step when we walk or run, we fall. Falls frequently occur because of:

Wet leaves on steps
Not paying attention (Having our head in the clouds)
Stepping on rocks, holes, or toys

If we fail to watch our step in relationships, we risk:

Offending other people
Earning a bad reputation
Suffering personal problems

Falls can happen quickly. That is true in any situation.

Sometimes we cause falls ourselves.
Sometimes other people cause them.
Sometimes they are no one’s fault.

As a result, we want to use caution — to watch our step.

Prevent the mistakes we can.
Prepare for the mistakes that happen.
Pick ourselves up when we fall.

Let’s learn from the steps we take, both good and bad.

“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes” (Psalm 119: 59 NIV).

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Tightfisted

November 24, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 3 comments

Few people want to be called tightfisted or closefisted. We don’t like to be known as selfish or cheap. A tightfisted person hates giving or spending money. They want to keep it all for themselves.

However, we can be tightfisted with more than money. Too often we fail to share our time and love. We need those much more.

How many children wish for more time and love from parents?
How many husbands or wives wish for more time and love from a spouse?
How many people live alone, thinking no one cares?

We can do something about the needs around us. If we are tightfisted, it is never too late to change. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol provides a perfect example.

Of course, we want to use what we own wisely. We need to save money for future needs. At the same time, most of us can give far more than we do. With money, time, and love, let’s freely share.

The Gaither video Give It Away includes a scene of children receiving Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes filled with gifts. What a great reminder that we can make our world a better place to live.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for what we have. Then let’s open our tight fists and share with others. After all, we can’t take it with us.

“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV).

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Hunky-dory

November 17, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Dana uses two thumbs up to say she feels hunky-dory. Her mother first learned that expression when she stayed with us a few years ago. She asked my husband, “How are you?” When he replied, “Hunky-dory,” Dana’s mother had no idea what he meant. Once she learned, this became a favorite funny expression.

Now Dana also knows hunky-dory means:

Okay
Just fine
No big problems

Although she may not feel on top of the world, she has no major complaints.

Even in the middle of hard times, life can still be good. Like children, why not treasure every special moment:

A butterfly on a flower
A favorite snack
A hug from someone we love

Those little moments make such great memories. If we will treasure them later, why not treasure them now? Look around at today’s blessings. Enjoy them. Make this a hunky-dory day.

“It is good to say thank you to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods. Every morning tell him, “Thank you for your kindness,” and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness” (Psalm 92:1-2 TLB).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Thanks to Helen Liu for the photo.