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Swing for the Fences

Swing for the Fences

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Swing for the Fences--softball playing hitting a ballI always wanted to hit a ball over the fence when I played softball. I never did. No matter how hard I would swing for the fences, I could not do it.

A few of my teammates hit balls over the fence with no problem. I could run fast, but I could not hit hard. However, I never stopped trying.

To swing for the fences means to swing as hard as possible.

  • Ballplayers hope for a home run.
  • Businesses aim for great success.
  • Individuals focus on one main goal

To swing for the fences involves great risk.

  • Ball players risk missing the ball and striking out.
  • Businesses risk losing everything.
  • Individuals chance serious loss.

The win is not always worth the risk.

A careful swing that hits the ball beats a hard swing that misses. Likewise, taking time to make the best decision beats a get-rich-quick scheme that fails. Too many people go out on a limb with no easy way back.

Never risk relationships.

Swinging for the fences is not worth losing:

  • Marriage
  • Children
  • Friends
  • Reputation

Weigh the costs. Swing for the fences when it will hurt no one. Swing softly to keep relationships from getting off base.

“It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good” (Galatians 4:18 NIV).

Thanks to Larry Alston for the suggestion and to Richard Robards for the photo.

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No Ifs, Ands, or Buts

No Ifs, Ands, or Buts

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No Ifs, Ands, or Buts in a red circle with X over it“If you miss more than three classes, you fail. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.” Few students want to hear those words. Definitely not if they just missed a third class.

“If you come home past curfew, you are grounded for a month. No ifs, ands, or buts.” Teenagers don’t like to hear that, especially if they just came home an hour past curfew.

No ifs, ands, or buts means no excuses.

 People who say this want no:

  • Arguments
  • Compromises
  • Explanations
  • Protests

They expect others to do as instructed.

  • Parents expect children to obey.
  • Bosses expect workers to finish on time.
  • Teachers expect students to complete assignments.

No ifs, ands, or buts also means certainty.

No doubt about it, the expected event will happen, rain or shine.

  • Children promise parents they will obey.
  • Workers assure bosses they will finish their work before the deadline.
  • Students tell teachers they will complete their assignments before the next class.

Whether they finish early or work down to the wire, they will do it.

Everything works better when everyone meets their obligations.

A friend said she has often heard, “If ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ were candy and nuts, we would all have a Merry Christmas.” She explained that people often say “if” or “but” instead of having faith all will work out exactly as it should.

  • If anything needs to be done, do it.
  • If anything needs to be said, say it.

No ifs, ands, or buts.

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching’” (John 14:23).

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Thanks to Jeri Stone for the suggestion.

Chasing Rabbits

Chasing Rabbits

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Chasing Rabbits: wild roses among trees We often hear dogs chasing rabbits behind our house. They may or may not catch any rabbits. However, we know the chase ends when the barking stops.

Many of us also enjoy chasing rabbits. Whether we have seen rabbits or not, we have chased them. The chase may occur:

  • Inside or outside
  • At home or away
  • In our minds or in our words and actions
  • By ourselves or with others
  • Because we are bored, lazy, or tired

We chase rabbits when we get off the subject.

Rather than talk about business, we discuss other issues.

  • Students ask unimportant questions, hoping to avoid classwork.
  • Workers discuss sports or unrelated topics with bosses.
  • Family members avoid difficult issues.

Chasing rabbits usually causes no harm.

We get back on subject and do what we have to do. Many teachers, bosses, and family members enjoy brief breaks too.

Occasionally chasing rabbits leads to disaster.

We love to watch rabbits in our garden spot of the world. However, we don’t love the problems they cause.

Those cute little creatures, that appear all ears, damage:

  • Gardens
  • Trees
  • Shrubs

Likewise, we love chasing rabbits. However, it keeps us from important work. If we fail to stay focused:

  • Grades drop.
  • Businesses fail.
  • Relationships suffer.

Chasing Rabbits--rabbit sittingRabbits are fun when they cause no damage. Chasing rabbits is fun, if we eventually tackle the work before us.

Enjoy breaks, but get the job done.

“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means” (2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion.

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Running on Fumes

Running on Fumes

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Running on Fumes-Andrea GiordanoPlease welcome my friend Andrea Giordano as today’s guest writer. I met Andrea when she was Executive Director of TESOL and ESL Programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. She is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly. You can study with Andrea at the following places:
– English with Andrea podcast 
– The Study With Andrea YouTube channel 

I was driving a friend’s truck last summer when, all of a sudden, the gas light came on. I was miles from a gas station and didn’t know if I would make it to a gas station in time. For the next few miles, I was dangerously close to running out of gas. I was running on fumes.

Just like that truck, I’ve had times in my life when I was running on fumes. These were times I had given all my energy away. I found myself with little ability to handle life easily because of how tired I was.

Running on Fumes--race car with fumesRunning on fumes means you are tired or have little emotional energy. 

  • Tired
  • Emotionally tired
  • Exhausted

There are many situations where you can be running on fumes. You might be a student who stayed up all night finishing a research paper but still have to show up for an early morning class.

You might be a mom with a newborn baby where you never get more than three hours of sleep at a time.

You might be locked down to protect yourself from COVID-19. Even though you are safer at home, you feel lonely and overwhelmed by financial pressures and the constant bad news on TV.

In all of those scenarios, you would be running on fumes.

When I feel like I’m running on fumes, I do a few things to refuel:

  1. Get some time alone to pray about what is really exhausting me. A lot of times, just identifying an underlying stress or issue helps me feel like I can do something about it.
  2. I try to go to bed earlier and drink more water.
  3. I listen to worship music and remember that God is strong enough to help me through whatever I’m facing.
  4. I read Scripture, especially verses like Matthew 11:28 (NIV), “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened [running on fumes], and I will give you rest.”

What helps you when you are running on fumes? Please comment below.

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Worth One’s Salt

Worth One’s Salt

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Worth One's Salt--saltshaker over a dish of saltMy friend Martha said her father described a few of her boyfriends as not worth the salt that went in their bread. He meant they were not worth much.

To be worth one’s salt means a person does a job well.

According to The Phrase Finder, “To be ‘worth one’s salt’ is to be worth one’s pay. Our word salary derives from the Latin salarium, (sal is the Latin word for salt).”

A person worth one’s salt earns respect because of good work. He or she gives a good day’s work for a good day’s pay rather than give a lick and a promise.

Salt adds flavor to food.

If not overdone, salt makes many foods taste better.

Salt also preserves food.

It helps prevent spoiling.

Like salt, people can add flavor to and help preserve the world.

Anyone makes the world a better place to live when he or she.

  • Does the best work possible
  • Takes care of God’s creation
  • Helps and respects others
  • Shares God’s love

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50 NIV).

Thanks to Martha Patton for the suggestion.

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The Whole Nine Yards

The Whole Nine Yards

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The Whole Nine Yards--shelves of fabricMy friend Karen collects fabric. She sews it into clothing, curtains, cushions, and quilts. You name it, Karen sews it. She does the whole nine yards. She also makes it look as easy as pie.

We don’t know the origin of the whole nine yards. A few ideas have been suggested, but none can be proved. Possible ideas relate to:

  • Fabric
  • Cement
  • Distance

We measure all those in yards.

The whole nine yards means all of something.

  • The total amount
  • A full measure
  • The entire distance
  • Everything

The Whole Nine Yards--three quilts on rackKaren sews about anything, and all her work is amazing. Other people run long distances, work years on projects, or never miss their favorite activities. Most of us spend time and money on our greatest interests.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Whatever we do, let’s do our best. Let’s go the whole nine yards in:

  • Caring for family, friends, or anyone in need
  • Sharing our faith
  • Working hard
  • Giving of ourselves to others

“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives” (Titus 3:14).

Thanks to Brad Leverett and Carole Fite for the suggestion. Thanks to Karen Bryant Hall and Quilts by Karen for the photos.

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Good to Go

Good to Go

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Good to Go--road leading to covered bridge“Are you ready?”

“Yes, we are good to go.”

When planning a trip, we like to hear that news.

Good to go means we are ready.

Excited to hit the trail, we have:

  • Prepared
  • Packed (but no excess baggage)
  • Repaired, if necessary
  • Checked and double-checked

Good to go includes more than travel.

It may refer to our:

  • Health (a return to good health)
  • Possessions (all work well)
  • Activities (ready to start or restart)
  • Work (complete and correct)

Sometimes good to go means ready to stay.

At times, we must stay home because of health issues. When that happens, people call, text, or message to check on us. Questions usually include:

  • Are you okay?
  • Do you need anything?

Once I said, “We are good to go, or – in that case – stay.” What I meant was:

  • We were okay.
  • We did not need anything or to go anywhere.

In this life, let’s stay good to go, whether we stay or go. For the next life, let’s definitely get ready to go.

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44 NIV).

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The End of Your Rope

The End of Your Rope

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The End of Your Rope--climber hanging from a rope“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Many can identify with the former president. Hard times hit, and you hurt. You wonder:

  • How will I survive?
  • Who can help?
  • Why did this happen?

When you reach the end of your rope, you feel out of options.

Like a person hanging from a cliff with no more rope, you feel desperate. You have no:

  • Strength
  • Hope
  • Patience
  • Desire to continue

You are ready to give up. You want to throw in the towel.

Problems may be as simple as no time to do all you need to do. However, problems may also be life threatening.

Whatever the problem, hold on.

Tie a knot and hang on for dear life. Help may be on the way. Many people want to help, if you let them know your need. Once you receive what you need, pay it forward by helping someone else.

When you get to the end of your rope, remember two words: “But God.”

You may not know the answer, but God does.

  • Troubles may not stop, but God walks with you through them.
  • Uncertainty may remain, but God gives you peace in the midst of it.
  • Life may look hopeless, but God offers hope for this life and the life to come.

When trials around you cause stress within you, look up.

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand” (Psalm 10:14 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Knowles for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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In the Nick of Time

In the Nick of Time

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In the Nick of Time--planes flying toward a setting sunOn a trip to Minneapolis years ago, I caught a plane just in the nick of time. My first plane had engine trouble, so I had to change flights. That made me late for my second flight. As a result, I had to run through the airport about 1:00 a.m. to board my plane on time.

In the nick of time means at the last moment.

  • Doctors perform surgery just in time to save a life.
  • Basketball players make winning shots in the last seconds of games.
  • Parents grab children before they run into traffic.

Any delay beyond the nick of time is too late.

  • I would have missed my flight. (I did miss the boat later on that same trip.)
  • Doctors’ patients would die.
  • Basketball teams would lose.
  • Cars would hit children

Each situation goes down to the wire but is saved by the bell.

A good plan helps avoid the nick of time.

  • Prepare for the unexpected.
  • Stay organized.
  • Focus on the most important.
  • Never put off what needs to be done today.

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Thanks to Jane Ashley Pace for the suggestion.

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The Early Bird Gets the Worm

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

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The Early Bird Gets the Worm--Martin Wiles head shotPlease welcome my friend Martin Wiles as today’s guest writer. Martin is the Managing Editor for Christian Devotions and the Administrator/Editor for VineWords. He is an author, English teacher, minister, freelance editor, and the founder of Love Lines from God. His most recent book is Don’t Just Live…Really Live. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of six. 

The Early Bird Gets the Worm--robin with worm“The early bird gets the worm.”

The expression first appeared in 1605 in a book of proverbs written by William Camden. The obvious meaning is simple: birds that rise early have the best chance of getting a worm. Late risers get poorer selections. The larger meaning is that arriving early provides a better chance of success.

I’m not sure which relative I first heard use the expression because so many of them did. I come from a family of Type A personalities—competitive, organized, time conscious. Dad arrived early everywhere he went—never right on time. I copied the pattern. If I can’t arrive at my destination at least thirty minutes early, I feel as if I’m late.

Evidently, Jesus found merit in rising early to pray.  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35 NIV).

I love early mornings. My mind is fresh, cleansed by a good night of sleep. And somehow, I feel as if I can hear God better then than at any other time. Why not give getting somewhere early a try?

Have you had an early bird gets the worm experience? If so, please comment below.

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Bird photo courtesy of Pixabay.