Blog

Gobsmacked

Gobsmacked

Comments 14 comments

Gobsmacked--Pacific Ocean-Hwy 101-Arch Rock The first time I saw the ocean, I was gobsmacked. My jaw dropped. My eyes popped. All my senses went on overload. Never had I experienced such awe.

The beauty and majesty of God’s creation left me breathless. I did not want to move. I felt like I could stay there forever.

Similar reactions occurred at Yellowstone and other parts of our world.

Gobsmacked means “overwhelmed with wonder, surprise, or shock.”

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it is primarily a slang British expression.

Gob can mean mouth. According to the Macmillan Dictionary blog, gobsmacked is “the kind of shock you would feel if you were suddenly hit in the face…. Clapping a hand to your mouth … is a less violent interpretation.” The shock leaves you speechless.

Causes for gobsmacked reactions may be good or bad.

Not every surprise or shock feels pleasant. That’s life with all its ups and downs.

Under God’s leadership, we survive and thrive whatever the experience.

Whether gobsmacked from good or bad, God offers joy, hope, and purpose.

I pray you enjoy a glorious gobsmacked day.

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy (Psalm 65:8 NIV).

Thanks to Pat Childress Conner Stapp for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Throw for a Loop

Throw for a Loop

Comments 11 comments

Throw for a Loop--roller coaster with loopsMy husband used to surprise me on a regular basis. One of his surprises literally threw me for a loop.

We visited an amusement park with friends. I was not a big roller coaster fan and usually preferred kiddie rides. However, he finally talked me into trying a bigger one.

The closer we walked toward the roller coaster, the more concerned I became.

My reaction: “That thing goes upside down!”

His response: A laugh and “It just looks that way.” He held onto my arm to keep me in line.

When we sat down and the safety bar locked in front of us, he offered to hold my hand. Both of my hands gripped the bar. I gave him an unmistakable, “No!”

Of course, the coaster did make loops. I promised myself if I ever got off that thing, I would never ride it again. And I have not.

Throw for a loop (or knock for a loop) means to shock or surprise.

 We may be confused. Someone does something totally unexpected.

Throw for a loop may involve a pleasant surprise such as a:

  • Marriage or pregnancy announcement
  • Special activity with family
  • Gift for an extended vacation

It may also involve an unpleasant shock such as:

  • Job loss
  • Health crisis
  • Divorce
  • Death

Life may throw us for a loop, but a relationship with God keeps us secure.

Whether we are on top of the world or in the pits, God remains with us. God does not always remove negative circumstances. Yet, we can keep on keeping on because of God’s peace, joy, and comfort. Hope holds secure.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion. Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Cream of the Crop

Cream of the Crop

Comments 14 comments

Cream of the Crop--men at army reunionThe men in this group are some of the finest I know. They are the cream of the crop.

All served in the army as members of A Company, 1st of the 501st. Many suffer health issues as a result of their service. Not all remain with us.

Cream of the crop means the best.

Just as cream is the richest part of milk and rises to the top, these men rose to the challenge to serve when called. When they gather, they always remember their comrades—their brothers—who returned home in flag-draped boxes plus those who have died since their return home. The men (and women) who went beyond the call of duty are gone but not forgotten.

Those in the cream of the crop challenge us to give our best.

We may not be summoned for military service. Yet, we can serve in some way.

God calls us to make our world a better place.

Memorial Day and always, may the needs around us and the memories of those who gave their all spur us to action.

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:5 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Kick Myself

Kick Myself

Comments 5 comments

Kick Myself--boy posed to kickI hate to lose anything. When that happens, I could just kick myself.

My dad often quoted the proverbial “a place for everything and everything in its place.” That does make life easier. However, things occasionally get misplaced.

Kick myself means I get upset or angry about something I did or failed to do.

  • I’m frustrated.
  • I scold myself, either aloud or in my mind.
  • I’m disappointed by my actions or inactions.

 It also means to regret my behavior or failure.

Examples include when:

  • I miss an opportunity to help others.
  • My words or actions hurt anyone.
  • I forget an important occasion.

Rather than kick myself, I need to correct what I did.

I want to:

  • Search for what I lost.
  • Take advantage of future opportunities.
  • Use my words and actions to help rather than hurt.
  • Apologize for misdeeds.

No one is perfect.

As long as I am alive and kicking, I will make mistakes.

God offers a better way than to kick myself.

 When I fail to follow God’s perfect way, confession is good for the soul. God extends forgiveness and the opportunity for a fresh start when I come clean.

God offers that same opportunity to you.

“‘I turned away from God, but I was sorry afterwards. I kicked myself for my stupidity. I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in younger days.’ And the Lord replies: Ephraim is still my son, my darling child. I had to punish him, but I still love him. I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.’” (Jeremiah 31:19-20 TLB).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion and to Katherine Bonds for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Hem and Haw

Hem and Haw

Comments 11 comments

Hem and Haw: fork in road with a sign pointing the two ways to "later" or "now"A young cousin visited our family years ago. When no one was looking, she helped herself to Mom’s perfume. Lots of perfume. Stink-you-out-of-the-house strong. When Mom asked about it, Kim chose to hem and haw.

Kim looked at the ground, the sky, and the trees. Never at Mom. Regardless of what Mom said, she responded, “I’m just tired.”

Kim did not want to answer Mom’s question. She was not caught red-handed, but she was obviously guilty.

According to The Free Dictionary, to hem and haw is “to refuse to give a definite answer.”

“‘Hem,’ similar … to … ‘ahem,’ [means] to hesitate. ‘Haw’ [means] much the same…. Combine the two, and you have someone who’s stalling for time and hoping not to have to respond any further.”

Some people simply say “hem haw.”

To hem and haw also means to act with uncertainty.

Both meanings often involve:

  • Pauses
  • Unclear speech
  • Poor eye contact
  • Vague answers
  • Frequent throat clearing (a similar sound to the expression)

Such behavior occurs when people don’t know how to answer or don’t want to answer.

Rather than a direct reply, they stall with meaningless sounds or words.

Saying “I don’t know” or “I did it” sounds better than avoiding the truth.

Honesty helps keep people out of hot water. Choose the right way now to stay out of trouble now and later.

“Speak the truth to each other” (Zechariah 8:16 NIV).

Thanks to Terrie Wilson for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

NOTE: While exploring related expressions, I discovered I used a similar introduction for beat around the bush. However, it works so well for both, I decided to keep it here too.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Put to Bed

Put to Bed

Comments 8 comments

Put to Bed--sleeping puppy on a hand-made cherry bedFollowing baths, brushed teeth, prayers, and other routines, children are put to bed every night.

Some of us also put our pets to bed. This puppy receives lots of love and care from its owner. A hand-made cherry bed waits anytime puppy needs a nap. Not a typical dog’s life.

We understand the literal meaning of put to bed.

People and animals need sleep. Going to bed may be voluntary or it may be required. Sometimes it serves as punishment for bad behavior.

It also means to stop discussing or arguing about an issue.

Whether we agree or disagree, we drop the subject. We let sleeping dogs lie.

It often means to complete all or part of an activity.

Final preparation begins or is already finished.

It’s a common saying for newspapers and other printing and means no more edits. Papers or books are ready to print.

The most important decision to put to bed is our eternal destination.

 We don’t want to leave our relationship with Jesus up in the air. At the end of the day, nothing matters more.

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4 NIV).

Thanks to J.D. Wininger for the suggestion and to Ina Ree Pickett for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Upon My Word of Honor

Upon My Word of Honor

Comments 10 comments

Upon My Word of Honor--2 older women dressed up with pursesWhen anything shocked my grandmother and her sister, they often declared, “Upon my word of honor!” Occasionally they shortened it to “Pon my word of honor!” or simply “My word!”

Sometimes their surprise came from love or admiration. Both enjoyed and grew flowers. An amazing new discovery led to clapped hands and words of approval.

Other times the same words expressed their disapproval. Unruly children might lead to, “Upon my word of honor! I can’t believe their parents let them get away with that.”

Upon my word of honor has two main meanings.

 My grandmother and great-aunt demonstrated one.

1. It expresses shock or surprise.

People can’t believe what they see or hear. It amazes them.

2. Upon my word of honor is also an oath or vow.

People promise or pledge to do something. That may be a formal pledge like an oath of office. It may also be an informal promise between friends or acquaintances. They mean they will do what they say. They vow they are telling the truth.

Why not always live an honest life rather than make promises?

If people know someone is as good as their word, they will not question what that person says or does. They trust them.

“Say just a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong. (Matthew 5:37 TLB).

Thanks to Jason Smith (and his Aunt Beulah who used this expression) for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Hornswoggle

Hornswoggle

Comments 16 comments

Hornswoggle-two little girls in sunsuits, one with a mischievous smileSome of us hornswoggle. Others of us get hornswoggled.  I don’t know about you, but I belong in the second category.

I am gullible from head to toe. Just ask my sister. When we were children, she tricked me into washing dishes for her over and over again.

Can’t you see the fun oozing out of her little body? We still get good laughs from her tricks.

Hornswoggle means to trick or cheat.

Other words describe it as:

  • Deceive
  • Dupe
  • Hoax
  • Bamboozle
  • Swindle
  • Hoodwink

Many hornswoggle experiences are harmless.

No one gets hurt. Laughter usually follows.

  • Surprise parties
  • Jokes

Enjoy those times.

However, other experiences cause great harm.

  • Scams and other money schemes
  • Relationship deceit

Watch out for snakes in the grass who hurt others with their deceptive ways.

The greatest harm comes from religious deceit.

Religious wolves in sheep’s clothing pretend to be someone or something they are not. They look and sound harmless but lead people the wrong way.

We want to be sure we follow the right path in life. We also want to direct others to it. Follow Jesus, “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 NIV).

“[Jesus] replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them” (Luke 21:8 NIV).

Thanks to Jonna J. LeVan for the idea. Read how her son hornswoggled her on Tracy Crump’s Caregiver Corner.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Up in the Air

Up in the Air

Comments 13 comments

Up in the Air--clouds cover the sun; sun rays above bare treesA friend’s car died during a recent out-of-town trip. It left her stranded on the side of the road. Her son took his car to her. The fate of her car was up in the air.

Could her car be fixed? Would she have to buy a new one? How much would either of those possibilities cost?

Up in the air means uncertain.

Something is not settled. It could change. The uncertainty may refer to such matters as:

  • Choice of school
  • Plans with friends
  • Work options
  • Food selections
  • Government decisions

Like clouds, anything up in the air floats around waiting for a decision.

 The metaphor may also refer to flying birds.

Some decisions matter little.

The choices are six of one and half a dozen of  the other. Fairly equal, either choice makes no great difference.

  • Dark chocolate or milk chocolate
  • A long walk or two short walks
  • A long book or two short books (or both)

Major decisions must be made.

Failure to decide is to decide to leave results in the hands of others. Riding the fence rarely works.

Choose well. Choose with eternal consequences in mind.

“How can men be wise? The only way to begin is by reverence for God. For growth in wisdom comes from obeying his laws. Praise his name forever” (Psalm 111:10 TLB).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson and Rita Smalley for the idea.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Hodgepodge

Hodgepodge

Comments 9 comments

Hodgepodge--flowers, old tree, small lakeInternational students have joined us for dinner many times. One of their favorite dishes includes a hodgepodge of ingredients.

  • Chicken
  • Mild cheddar cheese
  • Rice
  • Onion
  • Milk
  • Broccoli
  • Cream of mushroom soup

The mixture looks messy but tastes great.

Hodgepodge refers to a jumbled mess of ingredients.

According to The Phrase Finder, hodgepodge “is a stew made with meat and a variety of vegetables.” It also refers to “any mixture of ingredients or … a mess.”

The expression can be traced to 14th century France. The French made a dish called hotchpot. It was similar to our casserole or hotpot.

Hodgepodge describes more than food.

Notice the example in the above Magnolia Plantation scene. Neat flower rows can’t compare to several varieties mixed together like this.

Hodgepodge also includes:

  • Ideas
  • Clothes
  • Toys
  • Art
  • Pictures
  • Junk
  • Clutter of any kind

If we must clutter, I pray our clutter makes us burst with joy.

May we also spread that joy with friends from a hodgepodge of backgrounds.

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! (Psalm 47:1 NIV).

Thanks to Ginny Merritt for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.