Blog - Page 65 of 70 - Diana Derringer

From Here to Timbuktu

March 11, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

For a long time I thought Timbuktu was just a funny sounding name that symbolized any distant place.

If I wanted to tell someone how hard it was to get somewhere, I said it was like going from here to Timbuktu. That’s a lot farther than from here to yonder.

Imagine my surprise when I learned Timbuktu actually exists.

I also learned this town in Mali, West Africa is not the farthest from my home. Neither is it the hardest to reach.

I still love the name. Timbuktu has a unique sound, don’t you think?

A few years ago, a niece told me she has a friend who worked in Mali. I had a Timbuktu connection!

As my knowledge of geography grew, so did my awareness of my worldwide responsibility.

Whether I live here (wherever here may be for me) or around the world, I am one with other citizens of earth. We are all creations of our mighty God.

What a joy to love my brothers and sisters from here to Timbuktu!

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1 NIV)

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If we sow (or plant) tomato seeds, we reap (or harvest) tomatoes. If we sow corn seeds, we reap corn. If we sow bean seeds, we reap beans. If we sow flower seeds, we reap flowers. Do you see a pattern here?

Logic tells us that we reap what we sow.

That truth applies to behavior as well as gardens.

If we study hard, we make better grades.
If we practice regularly, we improve our performance.
If we work well, we advance in our career.

As with most of life, exceptions occur.

We can’t guarantee that our flower seeds will sprout and grow. Bad weather, hungry animals, and other conditions may result in a poor crop year. However, we can be certain that flower seeds will produce flowers, not potatoes.

Neither can we guarantee that positive behavior will always result in positive responses. In general, however, we live with the consequences of the choices we make — we reap what we sow.

If we ignore the rules, we get in trouble.
If we follow the rules, we stay out of trouble.
If we frown at people, they frown back.
If we smile at people, they smile back.
If we focus on the temporary, we reap temporary rewards.
If we focus on the eternal, we reap eternal rewards.

Let’s sow good seed, not just for our own sake but also for the sake of others.

Remember, whether beans or behavior, we reap what we sow.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7 NIV).

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Snowed Under

February 25, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Much of the United States has been snowed under for several weeks.

Almost everything outside disappeared under multiple layers of snow and ice. Bitterly cold temperatures and strong winds made the situation worse.

As a result, schools, offices, and stores closed. Emergency services encouraged people to stay home.

Any time of year, we can become snowed under with responsibilities.

We have more to do than we can possibly do. We feel like we are under a mountain of chores. Demands come from:

Home
Work
Church
Community
Friends
School
Our own expectations

Fun activities are no longer fun. We can’t stop thinking about what we need to do. Our lives feel like we are on a treadmill. We go as fast as we can but seem to get nowhere.

So how do we crawl out from under this snowed under feeling?

Set priorities. Decide what’s most important. Do that first.
Keep a list of what we need to do. Lists free our brains to focus on one task at a time.
Learn to delegate. Ask other people for help.
Do what we can. Then let the rest go until later.
Delete. If activities take too much time and are unimportant, get rid of them.
Take a break. A brief rest can increase our energy and improve our outlook.
Be thankful we are not bored.

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

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From Here to Yonder

February 18, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 7 comments

From 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).

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Love is Blind

February 11, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

On 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)

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Rise and Shine

February 4, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 9 comments

“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

January 28, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

Two 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).

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Head in the Clouds

January 21, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

We 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

January 14, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

Do 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).

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Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

January 7, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

As 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).

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