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Category: Problems

What Will Be Will Be

What Will Be Will Be

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What Will Be Will Be--double rainbows over fields and white fencesWhen I was a little girl, one of my favorite songs was Doris Day’s “Que Sera, Sera” (Whatever Will Be Will Be). She sounded so happy. The music’s rhythm made me skip and swirl as I sang along.

Only later did I pay attention to the song’s meaning.

The words were not as optimistic as I originally thought.

In some ways, what will be will be sounds hopeless.

In a nutshell, it seems we have no control. We cannot change the future.

If we have no control, why do anything at all?

Yet, we do have some control.

We cannot change everything, but we can change some things.

What will be will be tells us not to worry about what we cannot control.

  • Natural disasters
  • Disease
  • Other people’s actions
  • Death

Will worry stop any of those from happening? No. If they do not happen, did worry prevent them? No.

As my friend Marian Woosley often said, Why worry when we can pray?

Control what we can. Let the rest go.

Rather than wring our hands about the future, let go and let God lead us today.

  • Prepare as much as possible for natural disasters.
  • Practice good health habits
  • Treat other people well.
  • Be ready for death, whenever it comes.

When we do what we can under God’s leadership, life may still be hard. Yet, God gives us peace and joy.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion and to Mary Lou Rafferty for the photo..

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Water Down

Water Down

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Water Down--waterfallWhatever lies below a waterfall gets watered down quickly. The water:

  • Covers it
  • Weakens it
  • Overwhelms it

If we hike to the bottom of the waterfall, its power grabs our attention. We rarely notice other sights and sounds.

To water down means to cover or weaken something.

Surfaces we may cover with water include:

  • Yards with new grass seed
  • Clothes ready to wash
  • Houses and buildings in danger from nearby fires

We add water to weaken or dilute:

  • Soups
  • Juices or other drinks
  • Sauces

We also water down or weaken:

  • Stock values
  • Agreements
  • Laws
  • Truth

All lose worth and become less effective when we omit important information.

If we water down the truth, everyone loses.

We may not want to share hard truth. However, we need to know reality, even if we don’t like it or it hurts. Plus, people no longer trust us if we tell less than the truth. Better to stay on the up and up.

If we have not told the truth, remember confession is good for the soul. It’s never too late to turn over a new leaf.

“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies” Proverbs 14:5 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion.

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Two Left Feet

Two Left Feet

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Two Left Feet--two left shoes on feetSometimes I think I was born with two left feet. I constantly bump into things and discover bruises with no idea how I got them.

I have had this talent all my life. As a child, I practiced math by counting my bruises. I think fifteen to twenty was my record.

Two left feet means clumsy.

I bump into:

  • Doors
  • Furniture
  • Counter tops

This awkward talent often results from having my head in the clouds. My mind wanders. I fail to pay attention.

Two left feet often refers to a poor dancer.

I have never danced much. However, when I dance, I pay more attention. A few people have a tough time getting their dancing feet to work together.

Practice improves coordination.

 If I focus on my task, I run into things less often. If dancers practice, they improve their skill. Paying attention always helps.

When walking or dancing, focus on feet. When reading or talking, watch those words. When listening, remain all ears. Pay special attention when God directs.

“Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say” (Isaiah 28:23 NIV).

Thanks to Charles Smithers for the suggestion.

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Right as Rain

Right as Rain

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Right as Rain--raindrops on leaves and flowerLike a gentle rain on a hot, dry day, some things feel right as rain. Plants need refreshment, and so do people. After a long, dry spell of trouble, we love calm showers of peace.

Right as rain often means life is all right.

We enjoy:

  • Good or improved health
  • Everything working as it should

We feel well. Problems are solved. Work is complete.

Right as rain also means something is correct.

  • We give the right answers on a test.
  • Our work meets or exceeds requirements.

At times, right as rain means dependable.

People are as good as their word. We can take what they say to the bank. Regardless of their circumstances, rain or shine, they do what is right.

God offers a good, correct, and dependable life.

That does not mean everything always goes as we hope. It does mean everything will eventually work out.

Sooner or later, people fail. God never has and never will. We can trust God with our lives and our futures.

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants” (Deuteronomy 32:2 NIV).

Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion.

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Go Overboard

Go Overboard

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Go Overboard--boat below Niagara Falls“Mama, get the hammer. There’s a fly on Grandpa’s head.” When I read that quote, shared by Tillie Cowherd, I laughed out loud. How perfectly it describes when we go overboard.

We may not realize how easily we go overboard until:

  • We pay special attention to our actions
  • Another person mentions our behavior to us

To go overboard on a boat or ship means to jump or fall into the water.

That may be okay if we:

  • Can swim
  • Land in safe water.

However, we risk our lives if we:

  • Cannot swim
  • Enter dangerous water

 Figuratively, to go overboard means to go to extremes.

We fail to think before we act. Our enthusiasm exceeds our good sense. Therefore, we:

  • Act highfalutin
  • Spend more money than we can repay
  • Tackle more responsibilities than we can complete

We go too far, and we usually suffer.

Enthusiasm can be good.

It helps us:

However, we don’t want to get in over our heads.

Better to use wisdom than to suffer from extreme behavior.

Don’t kill a fly with a hammer … especially if the fly lands on grandpa’s head.

“Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes” (Ecclesiastes 7:18 NIV).

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Let Up

Let Up

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Let Up--Ice covered shrubA few years ago, everyone hoped an ice storm would soon let up. The heavy ice:

  • Covered and broke limbs on shrubs and trees
  • Downed power lines
  • Made travel impossible

Sometimes we feel like we cannot get a let up from life’s storms. When it rains, it pours. Problems overwhelm us. We reach the end of our rope.

Recent tornadoes:

  • Destroyed homes and property
  • Injured and killed people going about their daily lives
  • Damaged entire communities

To let up means to slow down or stop.

This can apply to:

  • Weather
  • Speed
  • Hard times
  • Physical, mental, or emotional pressure

This expression often applies to relationships.

  • Children want parents to let up on rules.
  • Employees want bosses to let up on work.
  • Many times, we need to let up on ourselves.

Whatever our pressures, God offers relief.

Problems do not always go away. However, God offers peace, hope, and comfort in every situation.

“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8 NIV).

Thanks to Sue Davis Potts for the suggestion.

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Hands Are Tied

Hands Are Tied

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Hands Are Tied--rope tied around wristsMost of us experience times we want to do something but can’t. Our hands are tied. Reasons include:

  • We are too busy.
  • Our boss does not allow it.
  • We lack necessary resources.
  • The law or other rules prevent it.

If our hands are tied, we are not free to act.

Like a prisoner, circumstances limit us. Although we want to make a change or help someone, we can’t.

Occasionally we say our hands are tied as an excuse.

We don’t want to do something. Yet, we say, “I can’t” rather than “I don’t want to.” Most people recognize such dishonesty immediately, or they learn about it later. Better to stay as good as our word and speak only the truth.

Many times, we give up too soon.

We try on our own and fall flat. If we pray, God may open new possibilities. The impossible becomes possible with God.

Make a difference when we can. Seek help when we can’t.

 Everyone can make a positive difference. Rarely are our hands tied.

With God’s help and the help of other people, we can make our world a better place.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

Thanks to Patty Cooper Emerson for the suggestion.

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Shoot the Breeze

Shoot the Breeze

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Shoot the Breeze--two women in rocking chairs on a porchOur family loves to sit on the porch or under a tree and shoot the breeze. Like Mom and Aunt Ersie always did, we enjoy time together. We talk almost constantly. However, our conversations usually focus on fun.

We get serious when we must, but we rather not.

To shoot the breeze refers to casual conversation.

Talk stays:

  • Friendly
  • Informal
  • Light-hearted

We chase rabbits rather than discuss world news. With no plan, we talk about whatever comes to mind and seldom lock horns in debate.

When conversations slow, we relax in one another’s company.

Occasionally, we must rest our vocal cords. If that happens, we  find pleasure in the wind’s breeze. Quiet time prepares us for another round of conversation.

Or we eat. Of course, we usually talk while we eat. After all, food is one of our favorite topics.

We cannot shoot the breeze forever.

Although we love fun times, we must still tackle life’s hard issues. A few moments to rest and shoot the breeze help prepare us to deal with life’s problems and sorrows.

“There is a time for everything, a time to weep and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

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A Day Late and a Dollar Short

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

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A Day Late and a Dollar Short--several dollar bills spread outAs a child, I often heard people say they were a day late and a dollar short. They usually meant they did not have enough money to buy something or pay a bill.

However, I learned the expression has a greater meaning.

A day late and a dollar short means to be unprepared and too late.

That can be money for purchases or bills, as I thought. It can also mean not enough effort in:

  • Relationships
  • Work
  • Personal goals

In each one, people fail to get the ball rolling. They dillydally when they need to get to work.

Lack of effort and failure to be on time benefit no one.

Everyone loses.

  • Family members who ignore one another threaten their relationships
  • Lazy workers hurt their employers and risk losing their jobs.
  • Anyone who invests little time or effort fails to achieve their best.

Prepare. Work well. Use time wisely.

A good plan for now and eternity, don’t you agree?

“Jesus replied, ‘My light will shine out for you just a little while longer. Walk in it while you can, and go where you want to go before the darkness falls, for then it will be too late for you to find your way’” (John 12:35 TLB).

Thanks to Emily Akin for the suggestion.

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Congratulations to Betty Johnson whose name was randomly drawn from my mailing list for a free copy of Tracy Crump’s book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness.

Take the Cotton Out of Your Ears and Put It in Your Mouth

Take the Cotton Out of Your Ears and Put It in Your Mouth

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Take the Cotton Out of Your Ears and Put It in Your Mouth--cotton balls in an earA friend’s mother-in-law used to tell family members, “Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth.” Many of us have probably heard the same or similar expressions.

Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth means to stop talking and start listening.

When we talk all the time, we fail to hear what others say. Their words go in one ear and out the other.

God gave us two ears and one mouth. That tells us something important, don’t you think? If we listen more than talk, we have fewer conflicts and greater cooperation.

We learn more when we listen.            

If we listen closely, all ears, we hear – not just noise or words, but also what the other person means.

We regret less when we listen.

If we wait to talk until we hear the other person’s point of view, we have fewer problems. We avoid putting our foot in our mouth.

The next time we want to talk too much rather than listen, let’s remember how God created us– one mouth, two ears.

“You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen” (Isaiah 42:20 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Palmer for the suggestion and to Travis Gosser for the photo.

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