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From Here to Yonder

From Here to Yonder

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From Here to YonderFrom here to yonder makes sense to people in the southern United States.

It can be confusing for everyone else. We use this expression several ways.

  • If I can’t find something, I may say, “I searched from here to yonder.” That means I looked almost everywhere.
  • If I give directions, I may say, “It’s not that far from here to yonder.” I mean I don’t know exactly how far, but it’s a short distance.
  • If I tell you, “It’s way over yonder,” then the distance is longer.
  • If I want to show you something, I may point and say “It’s over yonder.”

In other words, from here to yonder describes distance.

The distance may be near or far. We may or may not be able to see what is yonder.

Of course, you can always substitute the word there for yonder.

They have similar meanings. However, there is a boring word. Yonder adds southern charm.

Comparing yonder to there is like comparing:

  • A chocolate-chip-and-raspberry ice cream cone to plain vanilla.
  • A night sky with a full moon and stars to a sky with no light.
  • A tree in full bloom to one with no leaves.

There tells you what you need to know. Yonder tells you what you need to know — southern style.

“Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life” (Psalm 143:8 NIV).

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

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Love is Blind

Love is Blind

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Love is BlindOn Valentine’s Day we give flowers, candy, stuffed animals, and other gifts to those we love. This special day also reminds us that love is blind.

We see people differently when we look through eyes of love.

We focus on their good traits and overlook the bad. This happens with boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, and children. Because love is blind, we think our loved one is the smartest, cutest, sweetest person on earth.

That doesn’t mean we never see a person’s faults.

Yet, because we love them, we look for the best in them. We see what we want to see.

A 2004 scientific study verified that love is blind. The University College London found that love suppresses the part of our brain that controls critical thought.

We probably need some degree of blindness to keep loving feelings strong. At the same time, we need to take our blinders off when those faults become harmful. Then, we must clearly see what needs to change and take the steps to change it.

Teaching a child right from wrong requires a strong will. So does voicing concerns to a spouse.

True love is an act of the will, not emotion.

By working through difficult times, relationships grow.

True love says:

  • I will do what’s best for you, whether I feel like it or not.
  • I will do what’s best for you whether you deserve it or not.
  • I will do what’s best for you, because that’s how true love works.

Let’s be thankful love is blind to the little faults in one another. Let’s act with eyes wide open when true love requires it.

“For the LORD disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights (Proverbs 3:12 NET)

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

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Rise and Shine

Rise and Shine

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Rise and Shine
Courtesy of Jeri Stone

“Rise and shine! Day has broken!” Regardless of the circumstances, that was our father’s morning wake-up call. Who needed an alarm clock with Dad around?

His greeting came:

  • After dates
  • After slumber parties
  • On weekends
  • On holidays
  • Every single day

Friends might sleep until noon, but not us. We crawled out of bed. Dad said it was time to face the day, so we faced the day. At times we:

  • Muttered under our breath
  • Wanted to throw a pillow at him
  • Wondered how any sane person could be cheerful that early

Nevertheless, Dad said to rise and shine. Rise we did. Shine … not so often.

I now know Dad didn’t always feel that cheerful either. But whether he felt it or not, he said it.

The message we received from that daily ritual included more than, “Get up you sleepyheads.” Dad was telling us:

  • Every day’s an adventure. Don’t waste it.
  • We have much to do. Let’s do it.

Of course, Dad was right. Every day holds adventure. To see it, we must open our eyes. To make the most of it, we have to open our hearts.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1 NIV).

Did your Dad or Mom have a favorite expression? If so, I’d love to hear it.

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Two Heads are Better than One

Two Heads are Better than One

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Two Heads are Better than OneTwo heads are better than one—good to remember when we have trouble solving problems alone.

Independence can be a positive trait, but not always.

I like to find answers on my own. However, that desire can grow into stubbornness. I don’t like to admit that, but it’s true.

Sometimes I have to seek help.

Sources for that help include:

  • Books.
  • Online searches.
  • Videos.
  • Manuals.

Occasionally none of those provide the answer I need. When that happens, I reach out to other people—real flesh and blood individuals.

With so much technology available, we often overlook the people around us.

One great discovery I’ve made: Most people want to help. They enjoy sharing their knowledge or skills. They like to feel helpful. Although not always convenient, they gladly stop to offer advice or other assistance.

A different personality and a new approach may provide exactly what we need when we need it.

Not only are two heads better than one for problem solving. We then get to celebrate success with another person. After sharing the challenge, we get to share the joy!

Thanks to my great-nephews Logan and Landon for demonstrating this expression.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV).

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

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Head in the Clouds

Head in the Clouds

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Head in the CloudsWe like the thought that every cloud has a silver lining. We don’t enjoy people saying we have our head in the clouds.

I should know.

I have my head in the clouds quite often.

While thinking about one thing, I totally forget what I was doing before. I don’t pay attention, and I suffer as a result.

  • Dinner burns while I read a book. (That’s why I love stove timers.)
  • Clothes wrinkle in the dryer while I write. (I also love dryer buzzers.)
  • I stumble over a step while gazing at the clouds. (I haven’t found a signal for that yet.)

You get the picture?

I grow absent-minded when doing something I enjoy.

I forget my present reality. Like clouds, my mind floats away.

An occasional head in the clouds moment may be okay.

We need to dream. We need to escape and refresh our minds. A break from routine is good for the soul. We just need to be sure nothing and no one suffers because of it.

“Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe” (Proverbs 4:26 TLB).

How about you? What’s your worst head in the clouds experience? Please comment below.

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Swallow Hook, Line, and Sinker

Swallow Hook, Line, and Sinker

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Swallow Hook Line and SinkerDo you enjoy fishing? Most of my family can spend hours in the hot sun waiting for a fish to bite. Whether they catch anything or not, they have a good time. If they land enough for dinner, that’s wonderful. They clean and freeze any extra for another day.

I enjoy cooking and eating fish. I don’t usually like to fish. I hate to touch worms or fish. Plus, I identify with the pain of the worms or fish when they’re on a hook.

I also identify with fish another way. Like fish lured to a hook, I’m one of the most gullible people I know. Think about a fish’s actions:

  •  It foolishly tries to eat a worm or other bait on a hook.
  • When it takes the bait, it swallows the hook, pulls on the line, and makes the sinker go under the water.
  • Those actions signal the fisherman that he just caught a fish.
  • As a result, rather than eating dinner, the fish becomes someone’s dinner.

I also take the bait easily. In fact, I don’t just swallow the hook. I swallow hook, line, and sinker!

  • Tell me an unbelievable story; I usually believe it.
  • Try to avoid work by claiming illness or sadness; I sympathize.
  • Relate something foolish; I try to find the logic in it.

In most instances, swallowing (believing) such tales gives everyone a good laugh and no one suffers.

In important matters, I need to practice caution. So do we all.

“Keep falsehood and lies far from me” (Proverbs 30:8 NIV).

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

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Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

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Every Cloud Has a Silver LiningAs children, my sister and I would lie flat on our backs to look at the clouds. We saw elephants, dogs, trains, candy canes … You name it, we saw it, if we looked long enough.

When the clouds brought rain showers, we danced in circles with our heads back and our mouths open. We soaked up the fun, getting soaked in the process.

But when dark clouds brought lightning and thunder, we dashed inside for safety.

Eventually the sun popped out again, and the clouds’ edges glowed! We learned early in life to look for those silver linings.

We experienced few tragedies as children. We knew when any threat did appear, we had someone to brave it with us. The belief that every cloud has a silver lining taught us to look for the good in every hardship. We learned to hope for better days ahead, each with its own special beauty.

As adults, our difficulties increased. Nevertheless, the promise of someone with us never changed.

  • We still have one another.
  • We have other family members and friends.
  • We have church family.
  • Above all, we have our loving God who promises never to leave us.

We continue to believe every cloud has a silver lining. We hold to the hope that:

  • Life’s difficulties make us stronger.
  • We can support people with similar hardships.
  • God gives strength needed for every day.
  • This life’s troubles will not last.
  • We have a home in heaven, if we trust Jesus.

“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NLT).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Back to the Drawing Board

Back to the Drawing Board

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Back to the Drawing BoardWhen we make a mistake, we need to go back to the drawing board.

A drawing board is an architect’s table. If a design fails or doesn’t work as desired, the architect starts all over. He goes back to the drawing board to plan again.

No one enjoys having to redo work.

At the same time, don’t you find it encouraging that we can:

  • Correct mistakes?
  • Start over?
  • Improve projects that fail to work the first time?

That’s why we have erasers on pencils, and delete and undo buttons on computers.

We all make mistakes, so no one has the right to feel superior. Rather, by working together and sharing knowledge gained from successes and errors, everyone benefits.

How wonderful that God provides second chances.

  • When we make a total mess of our lives, we can go back to life’s drawing board.
  • When we see no hope for the future, God shows us a better way.
  • If we turn to God, He reveals His perfect design for our lives.

I can think of no greater way to begin a new year.

“Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4 NIV).

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

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Santa Claus

Santa Claus

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Santa BobWhat comes to mind when you hear the name Santa Claus? Most people picture a jolly man with a white beard. He wears a red suit and black boots and says “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” a lot. Santa Bob, pictured here, is a perfect example.

I wonder, however, how many people know about Saint Nicholas, the man who inspired our modern-day Santa Claus. According to history and legend, Saint Nicholas lived a far different life.

Saint Nicholas was born around AD 260-280 in modern day Turkey. His parents died when he was young but left him enough money to live well. He gave much of his money to help people in need, especially children.

Saint Nicholas performed many of his good deeds at night when no one could see him. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. With no money, the girls had little hope of marriage. As a result, the father feared he would have to sell his daughters into slavery.

When Saint Nicholas heard about this family, he tossed bags of gold through an open window of their house. The coins landed either in the stockings or shoes of the girls. Some say he tossed the gold down the chimney.

Yet Saint Nicholas’ government did not praise this generous man. Because he refused to give up his beliefs in Jesus, he was sent to prison and tortured.

When you see people in Santa Claus costumes this Christmas, remember Saint Nicholas. Remember the man who helped others and suffered for following Jesus. Remember that Christmas celebrates the birth of the Savior Saint Nicholas served.

Thanks to Santa Bob for sharing his photo and for living the true meaning of Christmas.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

Toe the Mark

Toe the Mark

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Toe the MarkBefore a race, runners toe the mark.

They place their toes at the starting line, never beyond it. The smallest movement too far disqualifies them. If they want to win, they must follow the rules.

The same requirement applies to a children’s race, a fundraiser for charity, or the Olympics.

We never outgrow rules.

So why do we sometimes ignore them? Why do we act like they apply to other people but not us?

Although not always fun, rules make life easier for everyone. This holds true not only in games but in everything we do.

Yes, some people cheat and never get caught. Yet, they will always know they did not deserve the victory? They will always wonder if their deceit will be discovered. They can never relax and completely enjoy their prize.

A runner who breaks the rules loses only a game. In life, we risk losing far more:

  • Our self-respect.
  • The respect of others.
  • Our good name.
  • The ability to enjoy life.

Let’s play by the rules.

In everything, let’s do what’s right. That way we win, whether we cross the finish line first or not.

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 MSG).

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

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