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Bend Over Backwards

Bend Over Backwards

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Some people do whatever it takes to help others.

They bend over backwards for you. Bend Over BackwardsIn other words:

  • No task is too difficult.
  • No amount of time is too long.
  • No request is too unreasonable.

If they have the resources, they give them freely and cheerfully.

When people take advantage of those who bend over backwards, they continue to give.

They would rather help someone who doesn’t need help than miss someone who does. Although occasionally described as too kind, they disagree. They believe they’re merely doing what is right.

I wonder what our world would be like if everyone followed their example?

What if we made a habit of:

  • Helping one another.
  • Supporting one another.
  • Forgiving one another.
  • Encouraging one another.

Are you ready for a little back bending?

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NRSV).

Thanks to Molly Sullivan for sharing her athletic skills in today’s photo.

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Busy as a Bee

Busy as a Bee

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Busy as a Bee3We do well when we learn to be busy as a bee.

For a free lesson in useful activity, watch honeybees. They don’t just buzz around. They find food and water for themselves and their hives (bee community). They also help us.

You heard me right. We need bees. Don’t kill them.

We use their honey, honeycomb, and beeswax for food, makeup, and more.

Farmers need bees to pollinate their crops. Without bees, we would not have as much food or as many food choices.

Can you imagine life without flowers and their wonderful smell?

Busy as a Bee 4In addition, honeybees communicate by the way they fly. Their flight patterns give directions and other important information to the rest of their hive.

Honeybees complete the tasks they were created to do.

In the process, they help others, near and far.

If only humans did so well. Are you busy as a bee?

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1 NIV).

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Excess Baggage

Excess Baggage

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Excess BaggageIf you have flown recently, you know the financial cost of an extra suitcase or too much weight. In addition, who wants the backaches, delayed connections, and short tempers caused by excess baggage?

Frequent travelers learn to pack nothing but the essentials.

They leave everything else at home.

If we only did the same with the emotional baggage we carry.

Just like an overstuffed suitcase, excess emotional baggage carries great cost. When we let our negative feelings regarding past wrongs, real or imagined, control our lives:

  • We may have trouble getting and keeping jobs.
  • We tend to take our feelings out on innocent people around us.
  • People often avoid us and our bad tempers.
  • We may have difficulty sleeping.
  • We may suffer eating disorders.
  • We lose our ability to concentrate clearly.
  • We remain miserable until we work through whatever holds us back.

If we can rid ourselves of excess emotional baggage on our own, that’s great. If we need help, we should seek that assistance without delay.

As a combat soldier in an old television program frequently said, “Let it go. Just let it go.”

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

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Pretty Is as Pretty Does

Pretty Is as Pretty Does

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Pretty Is As Pretty Does“Isn’t she the prettiest thing you ever saw?” We say that about babies, toddlers, teens, and adults. We use the same words for puppies, kittens, and a host of other pets. Yet, that description can quickly change, if the person or pet’s behavior turns ugly.

We appreciate physical beauty. However, the most important beauty can’t be seen with our eyes. It comes from within. A strong moral character gives one a glow unlike any physical characteristic.

Some of the most beautiful people I know would never win a beauty contest.

Likewise, not everyone who could win a beauty contest lives a beautiful life. Both teach us that pretty is as pretty does.

Most of us want to look as good as possible. So, let’s stay clean, eat right, and exercise regularly. If beauty products help, why not use them? However, let’s not focus totally on what others see or what the mirror reflects. Let’s never forget the source of true beauty.

God made every person uniquely lovely.

Even so, that loveliness quickly fades with rude or hateful actions. In contrast, we enhance our loveliness with kind and helpful deeds.

The cute kitten above took part in a youth Sunday school class project. With permission, seventh and eighth grade girls took puppies and kittens from the local animal shelter to visit nursing home residents. Everyone enjoyed a fun-filled day. Those girls and their borrowed pets showed me once again that pretty is as pretty does.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV).

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I’m All Ears

I’m All Ears

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I'm All EarsThis little rabbit nibbled grass near our back door. He lifted those ears as soon as he heard us behind him. His body went down, but his ears went up! “I’m all ears” he seemed to say. “I hear your every move and sound.”

He stopped:

  • Eating
  • Twitching his nose
  • Hopping
  • Looking around.

We had his full attention.

We can learn a lot from that kind of focus. Don’t you wish people would listen to one another so well? How often do we try to talk to someone, but we don’t give or receive full attention? While one person talks, the other person’s attention strays to:

  • The television
  • A cell phone
  • A computer screen
  • Another person
  • A book
  • Work
  • Anywhere but on the person talking

What does that say to the person trying to be heard?

  • I’m too busy.
  • You’re not important.
  • Leave me alone.
  • Someone or something else matters more than you.
  • I don’t care what you have to say.

Let’s listen to one another—really listen, with our ears, with our eyes, and with our body language. Like our rabbit friend, let’s send the message, “I’m all ears. I want to hear what you have to say.”

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19 NIV).

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Blowing Off Steam

Blowing Off Steam

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Blowing Off Steam--Old FaithfulOld Faithful, the best known geyser in Yellowstone Park, blows off steam on a regular basis.

Park employees keep her schedule posted, so visitors know when to gather around her.

The “oohs” and “aahs” begin when that built-up thermal pressure blows. The height of her eruptions varies from 100-180 feet. You can watch Old Faithful blowing off steam by webcam at Old Faithful Live.

Some people blow off steam on a regular basis.

Anger wells up within them until they can hold it no longer. Then they explode.

We love to see Old Faithful blowing off steam, but not people.

Anger, an emotion we all share, is not necessarily a bad thing.

Jesus, who lived a perfect life, vented his anger when appropriate.However, we can carry anger to an extreme.

We need to control our anger rather than allowing it to control us.

  • Confront anger rather than letting it build.
  • Express anger in helpful rather than harmful ways.
  • Once we resolve the situation causing our anger, let the anger go.

“’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (Ephesians 4:26 NIV).

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Get to the Bottom of It

Get to the Bottom of It

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Get to the Bottom of ItTo get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, we must travel by foot, mule, or raft. Be prepared! Hikers should carry plenty of water and food. We also need lots of sunscreen and appropriate shoes and clothing. To see firsthand what’s down there requires an investment of time, money, and effort.

To get to the bottom of anything, we’re seeking an answer or solving a problem.

We want the truth—to know exactly what’s going on. That takes work, regardless of the task. Some people declare they will get to the bottom of a situation “if it’s the last thing I ever do!”

Examples of those who get to the bottom of problems on a regular basis include:

  • Police investigating a crime
  • Parents questioning disobedient children
  • Counselors exploring individual or family difficulties
  • Executives seeking answers for business losses

Each of us needs to get to the bottom of our purpose in life.

We have only a few short years. Will we use them well? Will we continue to explore until we discover life’s greater meaning?

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for suggesting this expression.

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Sharp as a Tack

Sharp as a Tack

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Sharp as a Tack -- a tackA few fortunate people are sharp as a tack.

They see, hear, or read information and understand it instantly. Because they are smarter than most, they have what it takes to do well in life.

Deciding what to do with this wonderful gift, however, makes all the difference.

  1. Some choose to help others.
  2. Some help only themselves.
  3. A few take advantage of people not so sharp.

Individuals in the last two groups prove that smart does not mean wise. They never become all they could be.

When not used properly, the point of a tack becomes dull.

When people fail to develop their potential, they lose their sharpness as well. Mental laziness leads to mental dullness.

Tacks grow crooked if not driven in the right direction.

They may then do more harm than good. The same is true of people’s minds. If people focus only on themselves or hurts others, they rob everyone of a life well lived.

What a waste when people throw away the potential God gave them.

Far better when they grow into all they can be – when they stay sharp as a tack.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17 NIV).

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Icing on the Cake

Icing on the Cake

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Icing on the Cake Cake by itself tastes great. Most people think icing on the cake makes it better.

The rich gooey texture of icing (frosting) delights the taste buds in a way cake by itself cannot.

  • Who ever heard of a wedding cake without icing?
  • How can bakers create their works of art without icing?
  • What child does not enjoy playing with cake icing on his first birthday?
  • How many people steal a bite of cake and then cover the hole with icing?

Cake is dessert. Icing is dessert with attitude!

Icing on the cake means extra has been added.

  • Extra flavor on a cake
  • More help than expected for someone in need
  • Out of the blue surprises that make any day great

Why not put icing on the cake for someone today?

Make their day better by going the second mile. Perform a random act of kindness.

  • Instead of the usual tip for good service, double it.
  • When buying a movie ticket, purchase one for the next person in line.
  • After completing a job, help co-workers complete theirs.
  • When preparing a meal, cook extra for busy neighbors.

Everyone appreciates smiles and ordinary good will. Why not do more? Do the unexpected. Add a little icing on the cake. People who receive those surprising acts of kindness love it. So do the people who give them.

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV).

How have you experienced icing on the cake? Please comment below.

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Go the Second Mile

Go the Second Mile

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Go the second mile--2 mile markerNot everyone knows that go the second mile is from the Bible.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) gave His followers clear, but far-from-ordinary, guidelines.

Officers in those days could force people’s assistance for one mile. No one was required to go farther. Yet, Jesus told his followers not to stop after mile one. Instead, he said to go the second mile.

Jesus encouraged going beyond what law or custom demands.

Go the second mile was only one of several examples.

Through Jesus’ words and life, we learn more than what to believe. We learn how to act.

He provided God’s model in a less-than-godly world. He continues to challenge His followers to let the light of God’s love shine by:

  • Service rather than selfishness.
  • Forgiveness rather than revenge.
  • Humility rather than pride.
  • Respect rather than dishonor.
  • Assistance rather than neglect.

In all we do, let’s go the second mile.

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:41 NIV).

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