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Category: Relationships

The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil

The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil--old cart and carriagesOld wagons, carts, and carriages remind us that the squeaky wheel gets the oil (or grease). Their rides equal hours of fun — if the wheels work well.

However, when a wheel starts to squeak, it stands out from the others. It differs, but not in a good way. It:

  • Irritates
  • Angers
  • Makes us wish it would stop

A squeaky wheel demands attention.

No one likes that constant noise. It gets on our nerves, so we give it the attention it demands. We oil (or grease) it.

The person who complains the loudest and longest also gets the most attention.

Yet, choose carefully when to squeak and when to stay quiet.

Several situations compel us to speak up.

We should voice our concerns about:

  • Abuse or neglect
  • Serious consumer complaints
  • Obvious needs we can help

Yet, noise about everything all the time makes people avoid us.

Remember, silence can be golden. If we constantly fly off the handle, we harm ourselves as well as others.

A word to the wise: Speak up when we should make noise. Shut up when we need peace and quiet.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion.

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Nest Egg

Nest Egg

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Nest Egg--robin's nest in a hole in a tree trunkDo you have a nest egg? Perhaps you hide it in a special place at your home. Maybe in a sock or a cookie jar? Or you might keep it in a bank or other financial institution.

Family members might be aware of your nest egg. Or maybe only you know about it.

A nest egg is money saved for a later time.

Planned uses include:

  • Buying a house
  • Retirement
  • Emergencies
  • Travel
  • A rainy day

Nest eggs may be large or small.

Small ones help with:

  • Christmas or birthday gifts
  • Toys
  • Clothes or shoes
  • A fancy meal

This expression comes from leaving an egg in a chicken’s nest.

A nest egg can be real or fake. Its purpose is to encourage the chicken to lay more eggs.

Most people think of nest eggs for personal use. However, the idea can be expanded to the needs of others. Since you can’t take it with you, what fun to save in order to give it away.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

(I know the above picture is a robin’s egg rather than a chicken’s. Yet isn’t it lovely?)

Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion. Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.

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On the Up and Up

On the Up and Up

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On the Up and Up--hot air balloons in front of cloudsOn the up and up sometimes refers to people becoming successful.

With high goals and hard work, they strive for a good:

  • Income
  • Reputation
  • Position

They rise in the business world.

On the up and up also refers to anything improving.

  • Health
  • Work
  • Relationships

Today’s focus relates to behavior.

People on the up and up are:

  • Honest
  • Dependable
  • Respectable
  • Fair

Anything they say can be taken to the bank. As good as their word, they have no need to hide anything they do.

  • When they make a deal, they honor their agreement.
  • If they share information, no one doubts its truth.
  • When they promise to do something, they do it.

People whose behavior is on the up and up live clean, moral, legally upright lives.

They want to do what is right. They may not become rich or famous. However, they find far greater success than money or fame. Their choices give them a clear conscience – a gift money can never buy.

“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you” (Psalm 25:21 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay

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Let It Be

Let It Be

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Let It Be--Green River Lake sceneLet it be. Let it lie. Let sleeping dogs lie. All mean about the same.

To let it be means to leave a situation alone.

  • Wait rather than discuss it.
  • Don’t think too much about it.
  • Choose not to act yet.
  • Don’t dwell on the negative.
  • Get away from it.
  • Relax.

Let it be also relates to people.

We give people space when we let them be. We don’t bother them. They (or we) may need time, so we leave them alone for a while.

We may have to deal with the situation or person later.

However, extra time allows us to:

  • Gain more understanding
  • Think more clearly
  • Prepare a plan

Added time also helps us avoid getting in a jam or opening a can of worms.

 A few situations demand immediate attention.

We must act quickly. When that happens, let’s act wisely. We want to use our information and resources in the best possible way.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion.

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Make No Bones About It

Make No Bones About It

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Make No Bones About It-a cup of soupWhen we serve soup, we want no bones about it. We may cook bones in our soup, but we take them out when we eat. Swallowed bones often result in a visit to the hospital.

The origin of make no bones about it is uncertain.

According to The Free Dictionary, possibilities include:

  • Boneless soup or stew
  • Dice (originally made from bones) thrown with no hesitation

Make no bones about it means to be open and honest.

We:

No one has to guess our meaning. We speak frankly.

However, we want to be honest without being mean.

The truth often hurts as much as a lie. Therefore, if a truth helps no one, let’s bite our tongue. Some words are better left unspoken.

Always speak the truth in love.

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion. Image by RitaE from Pixabay.

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Big Head

Big Head

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Big Head--Closeup of lion's headLions have a big head, a loud roar, and a reputation as king of the jungle. Although big, strong, and fast, lions can be caught and controlled by smaller, weaker, and slower lion tamers.

People with a big head think they are better or more important than everyone else.

They:

Their actions say:

  • I am better than you.
  • Look at me.
  • I am number one.

Pride controls people with a big head.

Self rules. Everything and everyone else take second place.

However, like lions, pride often leads to a fall.

Humility offers a better way.

Humble people recognize the worth in everyone. They treat others with:

  • Respect
  • Love
  • Wisdom
  • Compassion

When people treat one another as they wish to be treated, everyone wins. Our world becomes a better place.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2 NIV).

Thanks to Betty C. Johnson for the suggestion. Image by Kevinsphotos from Pixabay

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Bushel and a Peck

Bushel and a Peck

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Bushel and a Peck-bushel baskets of applesI grew up with the knowledge that my parents loved me a bushel and a peck. How did I know that? They told me many times. They also sang “A Bushel and a Peck” from the Broadway show, “Guys and Dolls.” Their love made me feel snug as a bug in a rug.

My dad grew apples. Many people bought them in large bushel baskets. Others wanted only a peck (four pecks equal a bushel). Both are large amounts. A bushel and a peck together make a right smart of apples.

A bushel and a peck mean a lot.

Therefore, when my parents told me they loved me a bushel and a peck, they meant they loved me a great deal. At times, they held their arms wide to show another measure of their love.

Bushel and a peck often emphasize one person’s love for another.

Although the Broadway song focuses on romantic love, the expression can also refer to love of other people or things.

God gives the greatest measure of love.

God created all people and all things, including:

  • Everything that goes in our baskets
  • The materials that make the baskets

God also showers us with never-failing love, too great to measure. May we never fail to share God’s love for all creation and everyone in it.

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? (Isaiah 40:12 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion. Image by judymccleery from Pixabay

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Spill the Beans

Spill the Beans

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Spill the Beans--glass jar with lid off and beans spilling outMost of us know people who cannot keep a secret. They always find a way to spill the beans.

Although they act surprised after they tell what they know, they never fail to share it. Then, they ask us not to tell anyone else.

The origin of this expression is uncertain.

One possible explanation comes from an ancient voting practice of placing different colored beans in pots or jars. No one was supposed to spill the beans until the proper time.

People may spill the beans on purpose.

Telling private information can cause great harm. Words often hurt.

People may also spill the beans by mistake.

Although they don’t intend to reveal the information, it can still hurt.

Not all secrets hurt when told.

Examples include:

  • Plans for a surprise party
  • The contents of a gift
  • Whether an unborn baby is a boy or girl

Some secrets should be told.

  • Abuse
  • Crimes
  • Evil plans

Busybodies need to bite their tongues. However, everyone needs to speak up to right wrongs.

“Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief” (Proverbs 21:23 MSG).

 Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion.

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Deer in the Headlights

Deer in the Headlights

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Deer in the Headlights-deer on a foggy road In our garden spot of the world, we have to watch for deer in the headlights. We have several trees on one side of the road and farm fields on the other. Although beautiful and fun to watch, deer cause many accidents.

Deer in the headlights freeze in the middle of the road.

Both cars and the people in them suffer damage if they fail to stop in time. Therefore, we drive slower in certain areas.

If we act like deer in the headlights, we also freeze in place.

Causes include:

  • Fear
  • Surprise
  • Confusion
  • Strong emotions

We might:

  • Get caught red-handed
  • Experience unexpected and overwhelming responsibilities
  • Face decisions with no easy answers
  • Receive news of a birth, marriage, death, or other major family event

Although we freeze at times, unsure what to do, we don’t have to face the future alone.

God offers guidance and hope, whatever our situation.

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24 NIV).

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

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Salt in a Wound

Salt in a Wound

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Salt in a Wound -container of saltYears ago, people treated many medical emergencies at home. One common remedy was to pour or rub salt in a wound. That solution often caused more pain than the original problem.

Salt in a wound hurts.

 Although salt (or saltwater) helps heal or sooth certain conditions, it causes damage to others. Even if it helps, salt on an open sore stings.

To pour or rub salt in a wound means to make a bad situation worse.

 Our words or actions hurt rather than help.

  • A friend loses a contest, and we praise the winner.
  • Our neighbor’s boss fires him, and we brag about our promotion.
  • A relative’s wife leaves him, and we talk about her handsome boyfriend.

Whether deliberate or not, we increase the person’s hardship, shame, or sadness.

Rather than rub salt in a wound, let’s serve as salt of the earth.

 When other people feel down in the dumps, let’s lift them up. We have the privilege to share their sorrow as well as their joy.

“Being happy-go-lucky around a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing his jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in his wounds” (Proverbs 25:20 TLB).

Thanks to Pat Childress Conner Stapp for the suggestion. Image courtesy of  Pixabay.

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