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Served on a Silver Platter

Served on a Silver Platter

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Served on a Silver Platter--silver tea set on traySome people expect life served on a silver platter.

When they eat in fine restaurants, their food may be served on a silver platter (a large serving plate that symbolizes wealth). They eat high on the hog.

People who expect life served on a silver platter expect the best.

They don’t think they should ask for it. Instead, people should know and give them what they want. If they don’t receive what they want, they get upset.

Those people don’t want to work for it.

They think others should wait on them. They believe they deserve the best because of their:

  • Riches
  • Relationship with important people
  • History of being served

People with such expectations believe they are better than others.

They:

Not everyone who expects life served on a silver platter is rich.

However, most have usually had their way. As a result, they think they should continue to get what they want when they want it.

Not every rich person expects life served on a silver platter.

Many wealthy people:

  • Share their riches
  • Work hard
  • Treat others with respect

Whether rich or poor as a church mouse, people can count their blessings and share those blessings with others. Serving others makes life so much better than serving self.

“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf” (Proverbs 11:28 NIV).

Thanks to Glenda Britton for the suggestion.

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Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings

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Count Your Blessings-cornucopia with pumpkins

I love to hear Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sing “Count Your Blessings” in the movie White Christmas. I also love the words of the hymn “Count Your Blessings.” In recent years, Laura Story’s “Blessings” has become another favorite.

Laura wrote “Blessings” after she learned her husband had a brain tumor. I first heard it after my husband’s brain tumor diagnosis. Laura tells her family’s story in this video.

All three of these songs remind me (and you) to be thankful.

We can count our blessings at all times and in all circumstances.

  • During good times and bad
  • Whether rich or poor
  • When alone or with others

Hard times can be blessings in disguise.

  • Illness often gives us a greater love for life.
  • Job loss sometimes leads to a better job.
  • Pain can make us stronger.
  • Money problems can teach us better spending habits.

Let’s think about the good in our lives and give thanks. When life gets hard, let’s ask God to show us the blessings in those experiences.

Happy Thanksgiving!

“May God our Father shower you with blessings and fill you with his great peace” (Colossians 1:2 TLB)

What are some of your greatest blessings? Please comment below.

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A Drop in the Bucket

A Drop in the Bucket

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A Drop in the Bucket 2
Courtesy of morgueFile

A little bit of anything does not seem enough to make a difference. It is just a drop in the bucket. A drop in the ocean has the same meaning.

To understand this expression better, try carrying a bucket full of water. Then lift a bucket with one drop of water. We often think that one drop makes no difference or little difference. It is such a small part of the whole.

Compared to the greatness of God, we are like a drop in the bucket. God’s power, goodness, and love overflow like a waterfall.

A Drop in the BucketAt the same time, God loves each one of us and can use us for good. Working together, like many drops of water, we make a great difference in our world.

In addition, when we let God work in our lives, our buckets of blessings overflow.

“Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket” (Isaiah 40:15 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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A Dog’s Life

A Dog’s Life

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A Dog's LifeMany dogs, like Tina, never have to live a dog’s life. Their owners spoil them. They receive all they need and most of what they want.

  • Attention
  • Love
  • Rest
  • Food and shelter
  • Toys and more

In contrast, when we say we lead a dog’s life, we mean we have a terrible life.

  • We receive little or no attention.
  • No one cares.
  • We work too hard.
  • Our needs and wants are unmet.
  • We never have any fun.

Occasionally we may live a dog’s life. Most often, we have an easier life than we think. World news reminds us just how good our life is. Many people suffer because of:

  • War
  • Religious persecution
  • Abuse and neglect
  • Weather-related tragedies
  • Murder and other crimes

The list of suffering seems endless.

If we have food, shelter, and someone to love, we are blessed beyond measure. Our cups run over.

“You, Lord, preserve both people and animals” (Psalm 36:6 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Holland for the expression and Shirley Cheatham for the photo.

 Do you have a dog’s life example? If so, please comment.

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My Cup Runs Over

My Cup Runs Over

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My Cup Runs OverTea, coffee, milk – whatever the beverage – my cup runs over quite often.

I fail to pay attention, and I pour more than my cup can hold. I can make some big messes.

My cup runs over in other ways as well.

With these, I don’t make a mess. Instead, I find I’m abundantly blessed with:

  • More than enough to meet my daily needs
  • The love of friends and family
  • The opportunity to share that love and those resources with others

Often, we apply this expression to big moments or benefits. I find, however, that my cup runs over more often from the little things, such as:

  • Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets
  • Children’s laughter
  • Fresh garden vegetables
  • Hugs, with arms or words
  • Quiet moments alone or with someone I love

During hard times, when my cup’s almost empty, I recall those experiences.

I also rest in the knowledge of God’s love and care. Now, that makes my cup run over!

This phrase comes from Psalm 23, one of the best known psalms (songs) in the Bible.

“My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever” (Psalm 23:5-6 NKJV).

What about you? What makes your cup run over? Please comment.

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A Blessing in Disguise

A Blessing in Disguise

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Courtesy of Trevor Gosser
Courtesy of Trevor Gosser

This little guy loves cows. He’s also one of my favorite examples of a blessing in disguise.

His birth was premature and difficult. For days we didn’t know if he or his mother would live. None of our family wants to relive that experience. Yet from it, we gained countless blessings, including:

  • Closer relationships
  • Increased faith
  • Generous support from friends and strangers
  • A greater appreciation for every day

As Laura Story’s song, Blessings, reminds us, our hardest times may be blessings in disguise. Have you experienced any of the following?

  • You’re fired from a job but hired for a better one.
  • A boyfriend (or girlfriend) dumps you; then you find the love of your life.
  • You receive a bad grade or job review, so you improve your study or work habits.
  • An injury forces you to take a much needed rest.
  • You lose internet service and rediscover the joy of talking.

Whenever anything bad happens, look closely. You may find a blessing in disguise.

“I will make them and the area around My hill a blessing: I will send down showers in their season—showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:26 HCSB).

What is your greatest blessing in disguise? Please comment below.

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Raining Cats and Dogs

Raining Cats and Dogs

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Raining Cats and Dogs“It’s raining cats and dogs” has been heard a lot recently. Because of rain:

  • Streets, roads, and parks closed.
  • Parts of roads and bridges washed away.
  • Basements flooded.
  • Fields turned into ponds.
  • People joked about the Bible’s story of Noah and their need to build an ark.

We have had rain and plenty of it!

People who enjoy the sound of rain when they sleep probably couldn’t keep their eyes open … unless thunder and lightning kept them awake.

Of course, grass, trees, and flowers look wonderful once the sun finally shines through those clouds. We also gaze in awe at a rainbow’s beauty.

Rain showers and rainbows remind us of God’s blessings.

God waits to shower us with joy, peace, hope, love, and more, if we turn to Him. Those showers continue, regardless of the weather outside.

“I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:26, NIV)

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

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