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A Taste of Their Own Medicine

A Taste of Their Own Medicine

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A Taste of Their Own Medicine; child giving medicine to adultWhen people get a taste of their own medicine, they receive what they have given others. They don’t usually like it.

Medicine tastes better than it did in the past. Yet, most medicine still tastes awful. Children often fight taking it. The medicine lands on the child, adult, and anything else nearby.

Some adults pretend to taste the medicine. They act like it’s great.  They know better. Many children know better too.

When adults get sick, they receive a taste of our own medicine. What they have given, they receive. The experience makes them better. Yet, the medicine still tastes awful.

A taste of their own medicine applies to behavior as well. What people give or do to others often returns to them. What goes around comes around.

  • When people hurt others, they invite hurt.
  • If people gossip, others feel free to gossip about them.
  • If people don’t respect others, they probably won’t receive respect.

That doesn’t mean people should return evil for evil. In fact, Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

However, the truth remains: People tend to treat others the way they are treated.

Therefore:

  • To be treated well, treat others well.
  • To avoid gossip, don’t gossip.
  • To receive respect, show respect.

Kindness to others does not guarantee kind treatment in return. However, it is the right thing to do.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31 NIV).

Special thanks to Julie Posey Johnson for the photo of Ian giving Dad a taste of his own medicine.

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Tie Ourselves in Knots

Tie Ourselves in Knots

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Tie Ourselves in KnotsWe can easily tie ourselves in knots. I don’t mean with ropes, but with how we react to circumstances. We cause ourselves to suffer with:

  • Worry
  • Nervousness
  • Confusion

We can make ourselves sick. When our stomach ties in knots, we experience pain or cramping. The cause may be physical. Often it is emotional.

  • Fear
  • Impatience
  • Uncertainty
  • Anxiety

 Other people can tie us in knots when they:

  • Expect too much
  • Hurt us or try to hurt us
  • Ignore us
  • Lie or gossip about us

So, how do we stop tying ourselves in knots or letting others tie us in knots? Don’t borrow trouble. Remember worry does no good. It changes nothing except how we feel. Instead, let go and let God. As we learn from The Serenity Prayer:

  • Change what we can change.
  • Accept what we can’t change.
  • Learn the difference.

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25 NIV).

How do you keep from tying yourself in knots? Please comment.

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

A Dog’s Life

A Dog’s Life

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A Dog's LifeMany dogs, like Tina, never have to live a dog’s life. Their owners spoil them. They receive all they need and most of what they want.

  • Attention
  • Love
  • Rest
  • Food and shelter
  • Toys and more

In contrast, when we say we lead a dog’s life, we mean we have a terrible life.

  • We receive little or no attention.
  • No one cares.
  • We work too hard.
  • Our needs and wants are unmet.
  • We never have any fun.

Occasionally we may live a dog’s life. Most often, we have an easier life than we think. World news reminds us just how good our life is. Many people suffer because of:

  • War
  • Religious persecution
  • Abuse and neglect
  • Weather-related tragedies
  • Murder and other crimes

The list of suffering seems endless.

If we have food, shelter, and someone to love, we are blessed beyond measure. Our cups run over.

“You, Lord, preserve both people and animals” (Psalm 36:6 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Holland for the expression and Shirley Cheatham for the photo.

 Do you have a dog’s life example? If so, please comment.

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Pick Up the Pieces

Pick Up the Pieces

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Pick Up the Pieces-Judy ClarkWhen we break a dish, we pick up the pieces. Occasionally we glue those pieces back together. The dish may not be as good as new, but it works.

Sometimes we must pick up the pieces of our lives. We return to normal or a new normal after a bad experience. We try to make a difficult situation okay. We may have:

  • Broken hearts
  • Broken bodies
  • Broken minds
  • A broken world

Yet, we decide to make the best of our trouble. We pick up the pieces, pull ourselves together, and move on. We may not be as good as new, but we still work.

Easter is all about picking up the pieces. However, we don’t have to pick up the pieces ourselves. Jesus did that for us when He:

  • Lived a sinless life to pay for our sins.
  • Died on the cross to give us eternal life.
  • Rose from the grave in victory over sin and death.

When we give Jesus control of our lives, we receive more than a return to normal. Jesus makes us new — better than ever. Like a potter forming a new creation, He gives us a fresh start.

  • We become God’s child.
  • God’s Spirit gives guidance and support.
  • We gain a home in heaven. There we never have to pick up the pieces again.

“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8 NIV).

Thanks to Judy Clark for the photo.

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Under the Weather

Under the Weather

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Under the WeatherMost of us feel under the weather from time to time. We are sick or don’t feel well.

A few people suffer depression when they don’t receive enough sunlight. Bad weather does not usually make us sick. Yet, we may get tired of it before it is over. Of course, some people love it and are sad when it goes.

Whether we like bad weather or not, we can feel under the weather. Viruses, headaches, stomachaches, colds, and other illnesses occur in all kinds of weather. Most problems don’t last long.

During serious illness, we need one another’s help.

Our family has received amazing support during major health problems.

  • Cards, phone calls, and other messages
  • Meals and snacks for weeks
  • Gifts
  • Prayers for and with us
  • Short hospital and home visits
  • Help with chores

Although we loved the help, we loved the kind hearts more. Those dear people bent over backwards for us. Friends in all kinds of weather make feeling under the weather less painful.

Thank you one and all.

“I was sick and you looked after me” (Matthew 25:36 NIV).

Do you have a story of help when you or someone you loved was under the weather? Please share in the comments.

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A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

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A Stitch in Time 2I watched my Granny Childress sew many times. Sometimes she used a sewing machine like this one. Sometimes she sewed by hand. Either way, she knew a stitch in time saves nine. In other words, a little work now prevents a lot of work later.

  • Sewing a small rip in clothing now prevents a large rip later.
  • Stopping a little leak now prevents a big water bill later.
  • Replacing old brakes now prevents a car wreck later.

If we let things slide now, we suffer later. That’s true with clothing, houses, and cars. It’s also true in relationships. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

When we can, let’s stop problems now, so they will not get worse later.

“A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences” (Proverbs 27:12 TLB).

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Follow in Someone’s Footsteps

Follow in Someone’s Footsteps

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Follow in Someone's Footsteps 4I wonder if wearing an apron will help me follow in the footsteps of my Granny Beasley.

  • Will it make me a better cook?
  • Will it give me a great sense of humor?
  • Will it give me arms big enough to hug the world?

I rarely saw her without her apron. She used it to:

  • Keep her clothes clean while she cooked or did other work
  • Dry tears from her own or children’s eyes
  • Fan herself during hot weather

She did take it off when people took her picture.

To follow in the footsteps of someone, we:

  • Follow the person’s example.
  • Take that person’s role or job.
  • Look to the person for guidance or an example.
  • Live like that person lived.

Follow in Someone's Footsteps7I doubt that my WorldCrafts apron will make me like Granny. However, it does:

  • Provide great memories
  • Challenge me to follow in the footsteps of Granny Beasley (and the many other positive examples in my life)
  • Encourage me to create good footsteps for others to follow

“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me” (Psalm 119:133 NIV).

Whose footsteps do you follow? Please comment.

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On Thin Ice

On Thin Ice

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On Thin IceWe have to be careful during Kentucky winters. We often find ourselves on thin ice and must watch our steps.

  • Ice on creeks, ponds, and lakes is usually too thin to walk or skate.
  • Ice on the ground or sidewalks causes falls.
  • Ice on roads and parking lots lead to wrecks.

On thin ice means we are in a risky or dangerous situation.

We put ourselves in danger when we:

  • Invest money in an unknown company.
  • Choose friends we cannot trust.
  • Fail to care for our health.

Some risks are worth the danger.

  • Uncertain investments sometimes make lots of money.
  • Everyone makes mistakes and needs a second chance.
  • We risk our health to save another life (organ donation, firemen entering a burning building).

Other risks are not worth it.

Then it’s better to be safe than sorry.

We decide each day whether to step on thin ice or stay on solid ground.

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways’” (Haggai 1:7).

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Head over Heels

Head over Heels

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Head over Heels morgue file8161310074013Have you ever been head over heels in love?

  • You were so in love you did not know up from down.
  • You acted silly but didn’t care.
  • You wanted to spend every single minute with your loved one.

Have you later realized that was not true love?

So often we get the meaning of true love all wrong. We focus on the temporary:

  • Physical attraction
  • Common interests
  • Popularity
  • Desire to love or be close to someone

None of those are necessarily bad. However, true love means so much more. Love that lasts means moving beyond puppy love to:

  • Commitment to the loved one, regardless of circumstances
  • Willingness to give 100 percent, not 50-50
  • Being there for one another when life gets hard

At the same time, we want to keep true love lovely by:

  • Talking and laughing with one another
  • Sharing fun times
  • Hugging and saying “I love you” often

That helps keep us head over heels in love with our loved one for life.

Above all, we want to follow the ultimate example of love – Jesus’ unconditional, sacrificial love.

“You have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes” (Song of Solomon 4:9 NIV).

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

Go Against the Grain

Go Against the Grain

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Go Against the Grain 2 morguefile6631240571960If we work with wood, we don’t usually go against the grain. We work in the natural direction of the wood’s fibers. That is true whether we work with new wood or old. It is also true whether we:

  • Sand the wood to make it smooth
  • Paint or stain it
  • Clean or polish it

Years ago, I put new stain on a beautiful piece of furniture. In one spot, I brushed against the grain. That one mistake stood out from all the rest.

In life, if we go against the grain, we go against what we want to do. That often means standing firm  against popular opinion.

Our natural desire leads us to follow the crowd. Standing firm for what we believe can be difficult when few people stand with us. Yet, the crowd is not always right.

So how do we decide the direction to go?

Avoid

  • Going along with everyone else just because it is easy
  • Going against the grain simply for attention

Do

  • Educate ourselves
  • Choose what is right, whether it goes against the grain or not.

“Hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NIV).

Thanks to Suellen Shaw for the idea.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.