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Category: Wisdom

Feet of Clay

Feet of Clay

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Feet of Clay--two clay feetHow often do we admire people and think they can do no wrong? Yet, we eventually learn they have feet of clay.

Feet of clay means a failure or weakness.

We have faults. Our heroes have faults. No matter how hard we try to be perfect, everyone falls short of perfection.

This idiom originated in the Bible.

Daniel 2 tells the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and a dream he could not understand. God revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel, one of the king’s captives. In the dream, a statue had:

  • A head of gold
  • A body of silver, bronze, and iron
  • Feet of iron and clay

A large rock hit the feet, and the statue crumbled.

Daniel told the king his dream meant the Babylonian kingdom would fall. However, God’s kingdom would last forever.

Because we have feet of clay, we find hope only in our Creator.

If we rely on ourselves, we fall flat. However, God’s strength and guidance enable us to stand firm. Like Daniel, may we faithfully follow the one and only true God.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his” (Daniel 2:20 NIV).

Thanks to Meghan Bowker, editor of Missions Mosaic magazine, for the idea. Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash.

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Saddle Up

Saddle Up

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Saddle Up--rider mounting a saddled horseBefore we ride a horse, we usually saddle up. We put the saddle on the horse. Sometimes for competition. Other times for a leisurely ride.

A few people ride bareback, but most of us prefer the comfort and control a saddle gives.

Saddle up means to get ready.

Before we begin any activity, we plan what we need to do and the best way to do it. Then we are good to go.

Even with the best of plans, we all make mistakes. However, when that happens, we get back on the horse and keep going.

Failure to saddle up hurts everyone.

Proper planning results in greater opportunities for success. Lack of preparation leads to disappointment and defeat.

Prepare for life’s greatest ride.

If we join a trail ride, a leader often calls out, “Saddle up. Let’s ride.” Everyone gets ready. No one wants to be left behind.

God extends opportunities for this life plus life in heaven. Let’s get ready for both.

Saddle up. Let’s ride!

“Abraham … saddled his donkey… and went to the place of which God had told him” (Genesis 22:3 ESV).

Thanks to Sharon Berry for the suggestion and to Chelsey Stone for the photo.

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Fruit of Your Labor

Fruit of Your Labor

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Fruit of Your Labor--flower and vegetable garden with orchard in backgroundMy dad’s garden and orchard fed our family plus dozens of others. He spent years growing food and flowers as a labor of love. Dad also understood what it means to enjoy the fruit of your labor.

The fruit of your labor means the reward for your work.

Your efforts pay off. Because you refuse to give up, you bear fruit.

Long hours and hard work make you appreciate the fruit of your labor.

  • Farmers harvest their crops.
  • Gardeners enjoy vegetables, fruit, and flowers.
  • Students celebrate graduation.
  • Business owners enjoy profits.

You benefit from your investment of:

  • Time
  • Money
  • Muscle (mental or physical)

The harder the work the more enjoyable the fruit of your labor.

Life may give you long rows to hoe. However, you usually reap what you sow. Greater efforts result in greater rewards.

Make relationships your most important investment.

According to the Bible, the greatest commandments are to love God and love one another. The best fruit does not result from a focus on self. Rather, it grows from love and service.

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours” (Psalm 128:1-2 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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Tipping Point

Tipping Point

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Tipping Point--turtle climbing over the edge of water dishThis turtle has reached a tipping point. Small movements will pop him out of the water pan and onto the ground.

Tipping point means a critical moment when small actions cause great change.

That change may be in:

  • Ideas
  • Behavior
  • Words

It may affect one person or thing, or it may affect many.

Tipping points occur in all areas of life.

  • Businesses
  • Governments
  • Homes
  • Churches

The change may be gradual at first.

This turtle inched his way to the edge of the pan. Little happened when he started. However, he has now reached a decisive moment. What happens next is up in the air. Will he continue forward or go back?

Some tipping points result from the choices of others.

They may or may not seek input from those they affect.

 Other tipping points result from personal choices.

Everyone has influence, whether small or great. Everyone also lives with the results of their choices.

Stay on the right track. Choose well the direction your life will take.

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion and the photo.

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Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water

Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water

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Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water--child with back to camera in bathtubYou never want to throw the baby out with the bath water. When you toss or drain the dirty water, you want to keep your bathed baby safe.

To throw the baby out with the bath water means to throw away something good while you get rid of the bad.

Although the bad needs to go, the good should remain.

Dispose of the undesirable.

That includes the:

  • Worthless
  • Outdated
  • Unnecessary
  • Harmful
  • Unimportant

Protect the desirable.

That includes the:

  • Valuable
  • Timely
  • Useful
  • Helpful
  • Important

Throw the baby out with the bath water applies to ideas as well as things.

When you reject worthless ideas, keep the worthwhile. If you discard every part of a suggestion or idea, you may miss opportunities for improvement.

Throwing the baby out with the bath water can be unintentional.

How often have you realized too late that you tossed more than you planned. Sometimes you can retrieve them. Other times, they are gone forever.

Clean carefully.

Use file 13 for what needs to go. Hang on to what needs to remain.

“Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser for the suggestion and to Megan Wollmann for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

In the Thick of It--He Meant You to be You book coverSubscribe to receive Diana’s weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.” On 11-23-24, one name will be randomly selected from Diana’s mailing list to also receive a free copy of J.J. LeVan’s book, “He Meant You to Be You.” If your name is already on the mailing list, you are automatically entered. Please encourage your friends to subscribe.

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File 13

File 13

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File 13--trash can filled with envelopes and paperOur mail, whether in a physical box or an online inbox, usually includes junk. Because we don’t want junk, we get rid of it. It goes in file 13.

File 13 means the trash can or wastebasket.

Unwanted paper and other trash land there. We want it gone, so we throw it away. We wish we would never have to see physical trash or online junk or spam again.

File 13 content sometimes threatens us.

People or organizations send information for:

  • Financial scams
  • Identity theft
  • Revenge

Shredding all mail with identifying information adds extra protection.

Other times, File 13 content simply frustrates us.

Frequently unwanted material includes:

  • Political flyers
  • Advertisements
  • Requests for money

Let’s keep junk out of our minds as well as our mailboxes.

What goes down in the well comes up in the bucket. Likewise, what goes in our minds comes out in our actions. May we wisely filter all we receive, think, say, and do. As one friend says, let’s use our heads for more than a hat rack.

Get rid of the trash. Keep the treasures.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,6 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Klotz for the suggestion.

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Right Off the Bat

Right Off the Bat

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Right Off the Bat--Batter hitting a ballWhen a batter hits a ball, that ball flies right off the bat. While the ball soars through the air, the batter runs toward first base without delay.

Right off the bat means immediately.

We don’t hesitate. Instead, we act:

  • Instantly
  • First thing

Rather than sit and ponder the possibilities, we move almost spontaneously.

We value first responders who act right off the bat.

Their speed often makes the difference in life and death.

  • Fire fighters
  • Law enforcement
  • Medical personnel

We don’t want precise workers to act right off the bat.

Their speed results in costly errors or conclusions.

  • Scientists
  • Accountants
  • Builders

For them, haste makes waste. If we demand their work immediately if not sooner, we suffer in the end.

May we always choose wisely between patience and speed.

Much in life is worth the wait. Yet, we never want to postpone decisions that require an immediate response.

Without delay [Jesus] called them, and they … followed him (Mark 1:20 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion and to Richard Robards for the photo.

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Short Leash

Short Leash

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Short leash--Dog on short leash across a fence from a horseA friend recently said, “when we are dog-tired, we can be on that short leash of frustration and bark at others too easily.” How true. Fatigue often leads to frustration and harsh answers.

A short leash means strong control by someone or something.

When dog owners want more control over their dogs, they keep the leash short and the dogs close.

People on short emotional leashes know the feeling well. They enjoy little freedom.

We suffer if we allow emotions to keep us on a short leash.

God gave us emotions, but God also gave us minds. We never want our emotions to cloud good judgement.

Let’s choose a better way.

Rather than bark or yell at someone when upset, why not take time to calm down? We don’t want to say anything we regret. If we give it a rest long enough to get a grip, we don’t have to worry about going haywire.

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction” (Proverbs 29:18 NIV).

Thanks to Martha J. Orlando for the suggestion and to Chelsey Stone for the photo.

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Burn Boats

Burn Boats

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Burn Boats--a burning ship at nightBurn boats is another expression more common among the British. In America, we usually refer to burning bridges or burning our bridges behind us. The two expressions have the same meaning.

Burn boats (or burn the ships) means to destroy all means of retreat.

 We leave no way to return to our previous situation. According to U.S. Dictionary, this idiom comes from “the story of Hernán Cortés, who, upon arriving in Mexico in 1519, ordered his men to burn their boats, making it clear that there was no turning back.”

When we burn boats in our lives, our commitment forces us to go forward.

We can only move toward the goal or battle before us. As with Cortez and his men, our decision is both brave and risky.

  • It is difficult or impossible to reverse.
  • Yet, we strive harder to achieve our purpose.

The song, “Burn the Ships,” by for King and Country is based on this expression. Learn the reason for their song choice here.

Sometimes we must turn away from our past in order to follow the right road ahead.

Rather than look back, we pursue the good God offers before us.

 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV).

Thanks to Jonna J. LeVan for the suggestion. Photo by Klub Boks on Pexels.

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