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Category: Geography

Take Their Half Out of the Middle

Take Their Half Out of the Middle

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Take Their Half Out of the Middle--winding country roadI never like to meet drivers who take their half out of the middle of the road. Especially on a winding country road. They only take half. However, other drivers have no safe place to go. The person in the middle risks the lives of everyone they meet.

Drivers should remain on one side of the road. In the United States, they stay on the right. In several countries, they drive on the left. Drivers need to remain on the correct side, wherever they travel.

To take their half out of the middle means to take the correct amount but in a way that hurts others.

Although this often refers to drivers, it also applies to other circumstances.

  • People who eat the center of a cream filled cake or cookie
  • Children who refuse to move from the center of a car’s back seat
  • Anyone who takes the best from the center of anything

Instead of a total focus on self, consider the rights of others.

  •  What do they need?
  • How can I help?

Rather than self-centered, why not self-giving?

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:18 NIV).

Thanks to Judy Beth Shugart Clark for the suggestion.

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Smack Dab in the Middle

Smack Dab in the Middle

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Smack Dab in the Middle--chandelier in center of Biltmore Estate staircaseI discovered this lovely chandelier smack dab in the middle of a winding staircase at Biltmore Estate. It helps light the way for anyone climbing the stairs. It also adds beauty to the climb.

Smack dab in the middle means exactly in the middle.

It may apply to place, like the location of this light fixture. Place also refers to geography, such as the center of a town, state, or country.

In addition to place, smack dab in the middle refers to:

  • Size – between the largest and the smallest
  • Level – straight rather than crooked
  • Position – in the middle of other people
  • Opinion – agreement with points on both sides of an issue

Smack dab in the middle can be good or bad.

  • People choose the size of their meal by how hungry they are.
  • Homeowners usually want straight walls. Artwork with crooks and curves adds interest.
  • Some people hate a middle position. Others like it. Relationship matters more than position.
  • A middle opinion or compromise often works. However, people must occasionally stand firm.

Whether people are smack dab in the middle or not, this chandelier offers important lessons.

It also offers a lovely reminder to remain smack dab in the middle of God’s will.

“Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:27 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion.

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In the Sticks

In the Sticks

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In the Sticks-leaf-covered road through treesMany of us grew up in the sticks. We had to travel several miles to the closest town. Our travel time increased to reach a city. Some of us remain in the sticks or visit often.

In the sticks means in the country.

 It describes life in the middle of nowhere. Business usually involves plants and animals, not stores or factories.

People who hate country life describe it as:

  • Unsophisticated
  • Culturally backward

People who love country life call it:

  • Rustic
  • Back to nature

Nothing compares to country living.  

 Work is usually hard. However, the calmer, slower lifestyle makes such hard work worth it.

Our family loves our garden spot of the world. A few relatives remain where we grew up. Others live closer to modern conveniences … but not too close.

Whether we live in the sticks, visit when we can, or travel through them, we can all enjoy our time there.

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

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Boil the Ocean

Boil the Ocean

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Boil the Ocean - volcano lava above the oceanHow many times have we attempted an impossible task? We try to do something no one can do. Remember, we don’t have to boil the ocean.

Lava from an erupting volcano heats the ocean. However, all that lava affects only a tiny portion of the water. It puts on quite a show but with limits.

To boil the ocean means to try the impossible.

We work like a mule and burn our candle at both ends. However, like lava in the ocean, we have limits. We cannot do everything.

  • Students cannot complete years of work in one semester.
  • Builders cannot create a city in a day.
  • Doctors cannot cure every person in the world of every disease.

We make progress one step at a time.

Working together, we move forward. Trying to do everything alone dooms us to failure. Too many jobs make all our jobs more difficult.

We want vision without a waste of time.

Dream big. Reach for the sky. Yet, recognize reality. We never want to destroy ourselves striving for the impossible.

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall” (Isaiah 40:30 NIV).

Thanks to Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion. Image by Adrian Malec from Pixabay

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The Real McCoy

The Real McCoy

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The Real McCoy-Penn's StorePenn’s Store, three miles southeast of Gravel Switch, Kentucky, is the real McCoy. According to its website, Penn’s Store “is not a restored landmark; it is an authentic landmark … the oldest country store in America run by the same family since 1850.”

The real McCoy means the real thing.

  • It makes no false claims.
  • Buyers or visitors get what they expect.
  • It is the original or the best example of what it represents.

Penn’s Store represents a genuine old country store. Not all stores that make such a claim live up to their ads. A visit reveals the truth.

People may also be the real McCoy.

In a similar way to stores, people show their true colors. Time with them reveals the truth of who they claim to be.

 No one knows the origin of the real McCoy.

Several possibilities exist. However, the origin matters little. The meaning matters much.

For eternal truth and life, follow the one and only genuine source of both.

Jesus offers the best life possible. He is the real thing.

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (I John 5:20 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion and to Dawn Osborn (sixth generation Penn) for the photo.

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Watershed Moment

Watershed Moment

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Watershed Moment: Pacific Ocean, Hwy 101The first time I saw the ocean was a watershed moment.

I realized:

  • I love to travel (especially to places off the beaten path).
  • God created an amazing world.
  • The world has more to see than I can imagine.

A watershed moment is a turning point.

It involves a:

  • Time of discovery
  • Moment of change
  • Dividing point

This expression comes from geography. According to Merriam-Webster, a watershed is “a ridge of land separating rivers and streams flowing in one direction from those flowing in the opposite direction.” It may also include the area where the divided water flows.

Watershed moments in history include:

  • Discovery of electricity
  • Invention of the telephone
  • Beginning of space travel
  • Travel by automobile

The greatest watershed moment occurred when God came to earth as a man.

Jesus did no wrong. Yet, He paid the price for our wrongs. He:

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15 NIV).

What was a watershed moment for you? Please comment below.

Thanks to Timothy Lewis for the suggestion.

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Six of One and Half a Dozen of the Other

Six of One and Half a Dozen of the Other

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Six of One and Half a Dozen of Another 2--mountainsI love mountains. I love oceans. Which one I visit is six of one and half a dozen of the other. I simply want to hit the trail.

Six of one and half a dozen of the other means I have two equal choices.

The result of those choices is the same or almost the same. (A dozen is 12 and six is half of 12.)  Therefore, Six of One and Half a Dozen of the Other--oceanwhat I decide makes no difference.

Six of one and half a dozen of the other is sometimes true for:

  • Travel—which way I go
  • Jobs—which one I take
  • Free time—what I do for fun
  • Meals—what food I eat

Some choices are equally good.

Good choices for me include:

  • Hawaii (been there) or Alaska (want to go there)
  • Writing or speaking
  • Reading or walking
  • Chocolate or almonds (or chocolate covered almonds, yes!)

Other choices are equally bad.

Bad choices for me include:

  • Car races or casinos
  • Math teacher or scientist
  • Science fiction movies or heavy metal music
  • Gravy or liver (or gravy covered liver, no!)

Six of one and half a dozen of the other also refers to people.

Two people may:

  • Be equally qualified for a job
  • Share equal fault for a problem
  • Have little difference in personality

Neither choice stands out.

Six of one and half a dozen of the other choices matter little. However, the results of more important choices make big differences.

Enjoy the variety of unimportant choices. Choose wisely for decisions that matter most.

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:9 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion.

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A Right Smart

A Right Smart

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A Right Smart--Niagara FallsA right smart of water flows over Niagara Falls. On this rainy, windy day, the amount of water seemed far more than usual.

Many people have never heard this expression. It has nothing to do with how smart we are. Rather, it means a large amount.

If I own a right smart of something, I own a lot.

For example, I have a lot of:

  • Cousins (I love all of you.)
  • International friends (I love you too.)
  • Allergies (I don’t love you. Please go away.)

If I give a right smart, I give a lot, such as:

  • Food to people who visit our home
  • Children’s books to new parents
  • Gifts to organizations that help people in need

I have no control over a right smart that happens to me:

  • Trouble
  • Illness
  • Duties

I do have control over my:

  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Love

To let go and let God have control is a right smart better than any decision I can make.

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (Ephesians 3:20-21 MSG).

Thanks to Laura Claycomb for the suggestion.

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Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine

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Let Your Light Shine-Nauset Beach LighthouseWhen lighthouses let their lights shine, they guide ships and protect them from danger.

Like a lighthouse, you need to let your light shine.

You let your light shine when you:

  • Show people the way to go.
  • Warn them of danger.

Shine in your own special way.

Every lighthouse is different. No other lighthouse looks exactly like Cape Cod’s Nauset Beach Light. Ships use that difference to know where they are and where they need to go.

Likewise, no one is exactly like you. Therefore, you have your own special gifts to offer. Share them as only you can. Give the gift of yourself.

Let your light shine every day.

If you see people in need, don’t be tightfisted. Help them.

  • Give food to the hungry.
  • Help the sick receive care.
  • Teach people the truth.
  • Guide people who are in the dark.

As a popular children’s song reminds us, let your little light shine.

“Let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).

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Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill

Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill

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Make a Mountain out of a molehill--mountain reflected in waterWe often let the smallest problem bother us most.

We make a mountain out of a molehill. We make:

  • Something easy seem hard
  • A small problem seem big
  • Something unimportant seem important

Moles are small animals. So are the hills they make. Yet, we don’t like them.

  • They make a mess in yards and fields.
  • We may fall if we step on them.

However, if we watch our step, we can walk around or over molehills. We must climb for days to the top of some mountains.

Molehills destroy a yard’s beauty. A mountain’s volcano can destroy everything for miles.

We often forget how small our problems are.

Think about:

  • Colds compared to cancer
  • Flat tires compared to car wrecks
  • A bad meal compared to no food
  • A rained-out ballgame compared to an island destroyed by a storm

We may not feel on top of the world all the time. However, most days can be hunky dory.

Make a Mountain out of a MolehillLet’s not allow small problems to ruin our lives.

Rather than make a mountain out of a molehill, remember what matters most. Also remember, whether our problems are big or small, we never have to walk alone.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient” (Romans 5:3 TLB).

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