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Category: Holidays

Eyes Bigger than Our Belly

Eyes Bigger than Our Belly

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Eyes Bigger Than Our Belly--buffet tableMany times, our eyes are bigger than our belly. We see good food and want it. All of it. The more we see, the more we want. This happens frequently at:

  • Buffets with endless choices
  • Thanksgiving feasts
  • Potluck dinners where everyone brings food
  • Family meals with all our childhood favorites
  • Cookouts with piping hot food from a grill

Eating small amounts at such events takes more willpower than many of us possess. Instead, we fill our plates to the top and eat until we feel like we will pop.

The taste is wonderful. The misery later, not so great.

Eyes bigger than our belly means we take more food than we can eat.

Eyes bigger than our stomach means the same.

We love what we see. We want to eat everything we see. Yet, we cannot possibly digest all we pile on our plates.

Rather than eating until we get sick, why not share our food with others?

Most communities have food pantries or crisis centers to help the hungry. Churches frequently sponsor food programs. We may have neighbors who would enjoy our extra.

Instead of eyes bigger than our belly, why not hearts bigger than our hunger? A little food for thought for all of us.

“If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday” (Isaiah 58:10 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion and to Diann Paxton with Caterpillar Crossing for the photo.

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Under Wraps

Under Wraps

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Under Wraps--gifts under a Christmas treeDuring Christmas, we keep a lot of things under wraps. We hide gifts in closets and under beds. When no one is looking, we wrap our gifts with paper and bows. Once under the tree, everyone wants to know what those packages contain.

If we keep anything under wraps, we keep it a secret.

We don’t want others to know our information. Our secret usually lasts a short time. Examples, other than Christmas presents, include:

  • News reports
  • An engagement
  • Whether a baby will be a boy or girl

We don’t want others to know what is under wraps until the right time.

If people spill the beans, they ruin our plans. Therefore, we tell them to bite their tongues – to stay quiet.

Not everything we wrap is under wraps.

We want to share most good news.

The greatest gift came wrapped in strips of cloth.

When Jesus was born, angels announced His birth to shepherds. The shepherds found Jesus lying in a manger. Afterwards, they told others what they had heard and seen.

Let’s not keep the good news of Jesus under wraps.

Instead, let’s share with the world what the angels proclaimed.

“A Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12 NIV).

Thanks to Joy S. Taylor for the suggestion.

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Butter Up

Butter Up

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Butter Up-butter with knife and a butter moldWhen we prepare special meals or snacks, we often butter up our food to make it taste better. What would holiday meals be like without butter for the turkey, rolls, and desserts? Who wants to eat popcorn without butter during a movie? Most people find butter a pleasing addition.

Not my husband. When he was three years old, his grandmother used a mold to create a beautiful dish of butter. When he saw it on the kitchen table, he thought it was ice cream. Like most little boys would do, he found a spoon and took a bite. He still hates butter.

To butter up means to flatter or be extra nice to someone.

We usually do this before we:

  • Ask for a favor
  • Give bad news

This expression applies to most relationships.

Children butter up their parents before they ask for:

  • Money
  • A special toy or gift
  • Use of the car

Or, children may have to tell parents of :

  • Trouble they caused
  • Bad grades
  • Chores they failed to do

Students also butter up their teachers, hoping for a better grade. Employees butter up their bosses before requesting a raise.

If we do our best, we don’t have to butter up anyone.

Instead of being nice in order to get what we want, why not be nice all the time? Rather than put off bad news, why not be honest from the start? We never need to butter up if we stay on the up and up and do what we need to do.

 “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness” (1 Thessalonians 2:5 NIV).

Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion.

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On Cloud Nine

On Cloud Nine

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On Cloud Nine--clouds and sun raysWe love life on cloud nine. Something wonderful happens, and we feel on top of the world.

On cloud nine, we experience extreme happiness.

We burst with joy because of those special moments.

  • Graduation after years of hard work and study
  • A job promotion
  • Marriage to the love of our life
  • The birth of a long-awaited child or grandchild
  • Cure from serious illness

Opinions vary on the origin of on cloud nine.

 According to The Phrase Finder and The Free Dictionary, possible explanations relate to:

  • Classifications of clouds by the United States Weather Bureau
  • Stages of enlightenment in Buddhism
  • Nine as a mystical number

Other explanations also exist. The Phrase Finder says the phrase probably began as a “‘head in the clouds’ dreaminess” rather than happiness.

Whether on cloud nine or down in the dumps, life can be good.

A good life does not depend upon circumstances, clouds, personal enlightenment, or numbers. Rather, it comes from Jesus’ offer of eternal love, hope, peace, and joy if we trust in Him. That is the promise of Easter.

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion.

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See the Light

See the Light

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See the Light -- light over nativity“I see it!” I see the light!” When my brother was little, he loved lights. That was especially true at Christmas.

I share that love. Nighttime drives to view Christmas lights remain a favorite activity. They fill me with peace and joy.

To see the light means to finally understand or accept something.

Its meaning becomes clear. Until then, we may:

  • Think or wonder about an issue
  • Feel confused by it
  • Doubt it
  • Reject it

When we see the light, we change.

Understanding or accepting a new idea or belief affects our feelings and actions. We turn away from our previous behavior. We realize we have found a better way.

The Wise Men in the Christmas story searched for the light.

When they finally saw the star in the east, they followed it until they found Jesus.

To see the light often means to believe – to have a religious experience.

Such faith makes all the difference. The song, “I Have Seen the Light,” offers a beautiful description of that event.

Have you seen the light? If not, search for it today. If you have seen it, don’t leave others in the dark. Share the light of God’s love with them.

Merry Christmas!

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10 KJV).

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Image courtesy of  Pixabay

Cold Turkey

Cold Turkey

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Cold Turkey--two turkeys in the snowI love to eat cold turkey. However, I hate to quit a habit cold turkey.

To stop a habit immediately and completely usually hurts.

Cold turkey means no slow withdrawal. Instead, we tackle the problem all at once.

Few of us enjoy giving up anything that has been part of our lives a long time. Although it may be bad for us, we have a hard time letting go.

Addictions are especially hard to quit cold turkey.

For that reason, support groups exist for addictions to:

  • Alcohol
  • Drugs
  • Gambling
  • Eating
  • Plus, a long list of other behaviors

Support group members talk turkey. Speaking plain hard facts encourages hard, but needed, actions.

Support groups remind us to help one another in all of life.

We may not suffer addiction. Yet, we all need encouragement to make good choices. We also need guidance back to the straight and narrow when we choose poorly.

While we enjoy our post-Thanksgiving cold turkey sandwiches, think:

  • Why wait until the new year to begin better habits?
  • Perhaps now is our best time to quit bad habits once for all.

“Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall” (Ezekiel 18:30 NIV).

Thanks to Tim Lewis  for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Robert Jones on Pixabay.

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Sour Grapes

Sour Grapes

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Sour grapes--grapes on a vineMost of us have probably had sour grapes moments. We want something but cannot get it.

Sour grapes mean we fail to reach what we want, so we pretend it is not important.

We give a sour grapes explanation when we:

  • Criticize or make fun of what we cannot have
  • Say we never really wanted it or would not have enjoyed it
  • Criticize or make fun of the person who gets what we wanted
  • Say we don’t care

Although we try to hide it, we are:

  • Disappointed we did not get what we wanted
  • Jealous of the person who received it.

We find the sour grapes fable in Aesop’s The Fox and the Grapes.

A hungry fox finds good looking grapes hanging above him. When he never succeeds in reaching them, the fox says the grapes are sour. Watch a cartoon version of the fable here.

With an attitude like the fox, we decide if we cannot have something, it was never worth our time or effort – we would not have liked it.

The Bible also mentions sour grapes but with a different meaning.

The Bible’s sour grapes (in Ezekiel 18:2 and Jeremiah 31:29-30) refer to people suffering the consequences for their actions. Expressions that fit those verses include:

“In those days they shall no longer say: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ But everyone shall die for his own iniquity. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge” (Jeremiah 31:29-30 ESV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion. Image by skeeze from Pixabay.

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Pay the Fiddler

Pay the Fiddler

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Pay the Fiddler--fiddle in case with a money containerA friend’s father often said, “The one who dances has to pay the fiddler.” That makes sense. We live with the consequences of the choices we make.

To pay the fiddler means we suffer the results of what we say or do.

To pay the piper means the same. We use these expressions most often to describe the results of bad behavior. If we get in trouble, we get punished. Our choices force us to face the music.

The same truth applies to gardening: We reap what we sow.

  • Follow the wrong crowd — get in trouble.
  • Cheat on tests — fail to learn.
  • Hurt other people — lose their trust.

When we choose the right words and actions, we enjoy better results.

  • Follow the right examples — learn the best way to live.
  • Work as we should — grow in knowledge and abilities.
  • Treat others well — build trust in relationships.

Choose well to live well.

As 2020 begins, may we always choose the best. Happy New Year!

“Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Thanks to Patty Cooper Emerson for the suggestion.

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In a Jam

In a Jam

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In a Jam-young woman making jamEating jam is fun. Getting in a jam is not.

Amy, a former Campbellsville University student, learned how to make jam during one of her visits to our home. We enjoyed an afternoon of fun.

Eating jam cake made by my husband’s mother and other relatives became a family tradition. We had fun as we talked and ate.

One of my favorite Christmas gifts from my mother was homemade raspberry jam and jelly. What fun my sister and I had when we opened that special gift.

If we get in a jam, we get in a difficult situation.

We have a problem and cannot find an answer. As a result, we feel like we are beating our heads against a wall.

Some jams are not our fault. However, we often end up in trouble because of our poor choices, such as:

  • Doing what we should not do
  • Going where we should not go
  • Wanting what we do not need

In a Jam--jam cakeDuring Christmas or other holidays, we can easily get in a jam. We plan too much to do with too little time to do it. We forget to have fun.

Slow down. Cut back on activities. Focus on what really matters. Take time to remember the reason for this joyful season.

Merry Christmas! May all your jams be edible.

 “A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (Proverbs 22:3 TLB).

Thanks to Shanon Camille O’Banion and Cakes by Camille for the jam cake photo.

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Burst with Joy

Burst with Joy

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Burst with Joy--old silo with smiling faceI remember the first time I saw this silo. It looked like it would burst with joy. A freshly painted smiling face greeted every passing traveler.

To burst with joy means we are so full of joy we can hardly hold it.

Our cup runs over with happiness.

The years have been hard on my silo friend.

  • Its paint has faded. Yet, its smile remains.
  • Rain, wind, and storms have given it a hard time. Yet, it still stands.
  • Time will continue to take its toll. Yet, each change reveals the silo’s inner strength.

It still looks like it could burst with joy.

I love the lessons this old silo teaches.

  • Age changes our appearance. Yet, it does not have to take our smile.
  • Life’s storms beat against us. Yet, they don’t have to defeat us.
  • Time will take its toll on our lives. Yet, we can make the best of each life stage.

We can’t always choose our life circumstances. Yet, we can choose our attitude.

Thanksgiving reminds us to count our blessings.

  • If we have faith, family, and friends, we have more wealth than many in our world.
  • Food to eat, a home, and basic needs also make us richer than most.

When we share with others, our blessings grow.

May we never forget to thank God and the people who add joy to our lives.

Let’s also never forget to bless others.

Keep smiling. Let your life burst with joy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music” (Psalm 98:4 NIV).

What makes you burst with joy? Please comment below.

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