Relationships Archives - Page 36 of 36

For Good Measure

August 6, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

For Good Measure--grocery scales above fruit Many of us prefer shopping at neighborhood stores and farmers markets. The product quality is only a small part of what makes them special. These merchants usually add extra to our purchase for good measure.

For good measure means more than a fair amount.

Such merchants believe giving extra is the right thing to do.If they lose a little money, that’s okay with them.

They value every customer.
We always receive fair treatment.

We like to buy from people we trust.

Even if their prices are higher than other stores, we still go there. They are our friends and neighbors. We go to the same activities and attend the same schools and churches.

However, they also give strangers more than necessary for good measure. Such kindness makes a difference in many lives.

Why not follow their example?

Let’s give more for good measure – more

Smiles
Encouragement
Financial help
Time
Attention to what matters most in life

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38 NIV)

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Let Go and Let God

July 30, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

If we Google let go and let God, we receive about 37,400 results. This expression is probably best known as a slogan for Al-Anon, a support group for friends and family of people with addictions. Yet, its popularity goes much further. But what does it mean?

First, let’s look at what let go and let God does not mean.

It does not:

Justify neglect of responsibility
Equal apathy or laziness
Mean accepting defeat

God gave us a brain and physical abilities for a reason. He expects us to use them, under His guidance.

Let go and let God does mean we:

Realize we are not all knowing. God is.
Understand we are not all powerful. God is.
Accept we cannot be everywhere. God can.
Recognize we do not sees life’s big picture — past, present, and future. God does.
Confess our limitations in order to receive God’s unlimited power.
Let go of fear, jealousy, ego, worry, and other negative emotions.

Releasing control goes against our nature.

Some of us want to:

Fix any problem
Take responsibility for every solution
Manage everyone and everything

Yet, only by releasing our lives and those we love to God’s will can we experience true peace.

Like the child in the offering plate, we must give God all. God’s answers may not come in the way and at the time we expect. Nevertheless, they will come.

We have a choice.

Will we let go and let God or continue our self-defeating quest for control?

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Thanks to Karen Atwood for the suggestion.

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A Dime a Dozen

July 23, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

When we want to describe something common or easy to find, a dime a dozen says it well.

A dime a dozen often implies a lack of worth.

A dime won’t buy much. Occasionally we buy cheap toys we know will break easily. Yet we think, If they break, we can just throw them away.

How often do we treat people as worthless?

How do we view those with little money?
When someone makes a mistake, do we help them or give up on them?
How do we act around those different from us?
Do we look down on those who fail to meet our standards?
How many have we labeled hopeless and undeserving of our time and effort?

Sadly, many people accept this judgment.

After years of mistreatment, they give up. They stop seeking a better life. They believe they deserve the way we treat them.

How dare we do that to another human being!

A broken toy can be thrown away. A broken person needs our love and concern.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 NIV).

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A Little Bird Told Me

June 25, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

When people don’t want to reveal their source of information, they may say, “A little bird told me.”

Sometimes they share positive news that gives the listener joy. At other times, their negative words cause great pain.

The information source may never be known. Yet, with modern technology, the origin can usually be found. We hear and read daily of politicians, entertainers, and even working class people who get embarrassed by what they have said or done. They didn’t think anyone heard or saw them. They were wrong.

If we don’t want our words repeated, we’d better not say them.

If we don’t want our actions shown, we’d better not do them. Who knows what little bird may be listening or watching, waiting to reveal what we say and do.

“Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.” (Ecclesiastes 10:20 NIV).

Thanks to all who suggested this and other expressions. Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Busybody

June 4, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

I don’t want to tell my secrets to a gossip (a busybody), do you?

If someone talks about everybody else, that person will talk about us.

Gossips “stick their noses into other people’s business.” They try to learn all they can about others, especially anything negative. Then they tell everyone else about it. This usually makes the gossip look far worse than the one discussed. No one trusts such negative attitudes, actions, or words.

Many people would never spread a falsehood about others, yet they freely share negative truths. Truly, a shameful truth hurts just as much as a shameful lie. As a result, some words are better left unsaid.

Years ago a teacher gave our class three questions to ask before we speak:

Is what I plan to say true?
Is what I plan to say kind?
Does what I plan to say glorify God?

Answering the first question is easy. The second becomes more difficult. The third has a much better chance of keeping our mouths closed.

Use these three questions. You won’t regret it.

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much” (Proverbs 20:19 NIV).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Friends Through Thick and Thin

May 14, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Personal acquaintances and online friends may number in the hundreds or more. We can probably count true friends with the fingers on one hand.

Most people love us when we treat them well. But what happens when we’re mean, stubborn, hateful, and unloving? Friends look for the reason behind the behavior. They know we all have bad days. They keep on loving us.

At the same time, friends won’t let us get away with bad behavior forever. Eventually they challenge us to change. They know we can misinterpret and reject their care. In spite of that, they do what’s best for us.

True friends, friends through thick and thin, will:

give unconditional love.
confront negative behavior.
stay with us in all life’s ups and downs.

That’s the kind of friend I desire. That’s the kind of friend I want to be.

“A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17 NIV).

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Let Bygones Be Bygones

April 30, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

The past controls too many people.

They will not let bygones be bygones. Instead of letting the past be past, they spend all their time remembering.

Some remember great things they did but can no longer do.
Others wish for the simpler, easier life when they were younger.

Far too many think about all the wrongs done to them.

Their family or friends hurt them.
Their boss treated them unfairly.
They lost money.
They never had a chance to improve their lives.

Everything that happens affects us.

Many people do suffer unfairly. Others live with painful memories. Some allow anger to control their lives. They hurt others because they feel hurt.

Life’s not always fair. We must decide how to live with that fact.

Will we learn from the past but live in the present? Only then can we look forward to the future.

Let’s not allow the past to control us.

Let bygones be bygones.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18 NIV).

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A Chip Off the Old Block

April 16, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

The tiniest wood chip contains the same basic makeup as the original block, simply smaller. Often people refer to a child as a chip off the old block. No one questions the child’s heritage. Similarities to the parent may include the way they walk, talk, gesture, and behave. Personalities of the parent and child often match one another as well.

We have little control over our physical appearance. We can use makeup, eat and sleep well, and exercise. A few people receive costly cosmetic surgery. Yet, many of our physical features are beyond our control.

Although a person’s nature reflects genetics, we choose whether to control our behavior in most circumstances. We decide who we mirror in our actions and attitudes.

Choose wisely.

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart” (Proverbs 27:19 NIV).