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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.

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

Second Fiddle

Second Fiddle

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Second Fiddle 4-Rachel DeCourseyI can’t play a fiddle – first fiddle or second fiddle. I tried to learn from my father. My efforts were not successful.

Fiddle is another name for violin. The music style makes it different.

In an orchestra, second violin supports the first violin. First violin usually plays melody while second violin plays harmony. As the name suggests, second violin has a secondary role.

Therefore, if we play second fiddle to someone, the other person gets noticed more. She gets more credit. People often think the second fiddle role is less important or second best. For example, a vice president plays second fiddle to president.

Four things we need to remember about playing second fiddle:

1. Someone needs to play second fiddle.
2. With hard work, we may someday play first.
3. Both roles are important.
4. The two together make beautiful music.

Whether we lead or play second fiddle, let’s play to the best of our ability.

“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD” (Psalm 150:3-6 NIV).

Thanks to Rachel DeCoursey for the Campbellsville University orchestra photo.

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Watch Your Step

Watch Your Step

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Watch Your Step“You better watch your step.” Have you heard that from a parent, teacher, or boss? When it happens, we know we have pushed all the wrong buttons. We are in trouble or soon will be, unless we change our behavior.

If we don’t watch our step when we walk or run, we fall. Falls frequently occur because of:

  • Wet leaves on steps
  • Not paying attention (Having our head in the clouds)
  • Stepping on rocks, holes, or toys

If we fail to watch our step in relationships, we risk:

  • Offending other people
  • Earning a bad reputation
  • Suffering personal problems

Falls can happen quickly. That is true in any situation.

  • Sometimes we cause falls ourselves.
  • Sometimes other people cause them.
  • Sometimes they are no one’s fault.

As a result, we want to use caution — to watch our step.

  • Prevent the mistakes we can.
  • Prepare for the mistakes that happen.
  • Pick ourselves up when we fall.

Let’s learn from the steps we take, both good and bad.

“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes” (Psalm 119: 59 NIV).

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Tightfisted

Tightfisted

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TightfistedFew people want to be called tightfisted or closefisted. We don’t like to be known as selfish or cheap. A tightfisted person hates giving or spending money. They want to keep it all for themselves.

However, we can be tightfisted with more than money. Too often we fail to share our time and love. We need those much more.

  • How many children wish for more time and love from parents?
  • How many husbands or wives wish for more time and love from a spouse?
  • How many people live alone, thinking no one cares?

We can do something about the needs around us. If we are tightfisted, it is never too late to change. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol provides a perfect example.

Of course, we want to use what we own wisely. We need to save money for future needs. At the same time, most of us can give far more than we do. With money, time, and love, let’s freely share.

The Gaither video Give It Away includes a scene of children receiving Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes filled with gifts. What a great reminder that we can make our world a better place to live.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for what we have. Then let’s open our tight fists and share with others. After all, we can’t take it with us.

“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV).

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