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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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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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Butt Heads with Someone

Butt Heads with Someone

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Butt Heads with Someone--two boys with heads together and fists clenchedWhen we butt heads with someone, we cause and receive pain. No fun.

Literally, to butt heads means to hit heads together.

We often see this when animals lock horns. They fight to determine who will lead their group.

Figuratively, to butt heads means to strongly disagree or have an intense argument.

This causes problems in any relationship:

  • Families
  • Friends
  • Neighbors
  • Political parties
  • Social organizations

 The tactics in such arguments aim to hurt rather than heal.

  • Name calling
  • Disrespect
  • Physical or verbal fights

 Rather than butt heads, we need to learn to get along.

We can disagree in an agreeable way. If we explain our differences in a calm, respectful manner, everyone wins. Two heads are better than one applies even when the two heads disagree.

 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion and to Megan Wollman for the photo.

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It’s Your Nickel

It’s Your Nickel

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It's Your Nickel--wooden bowl of changeHow often do we see people throw away money? They may not actually throw cash in the trash, but they waste it. In frustration, we say, “It’s your nickel.”

Many times, money burns a hole in their pocket. They fail to save for a rainy day.

It’s your nickel means people can spend their money as they please.

We may:

  • Disagree with their choices.
  • Wish they budgeted better.
  • Caution them about their purchases.

However, they choose.

It’s your nickel expresses concern but recognizes the other people’s ownership.

Since the money is not ours, neither is the decision. If they choose to:

  • Spend money before they get it, we can’t stop them.
  • Buy luxuries rather than necessities, they live with the consequences.
  • Ignore responsibilities, regret may lie down the road.

Like everyone else, our financial decisions affect us and others.

As we save, invest, and spend, we profit or lose. We also set an example with our words and actions. With all our nickels, let’s remain wise as an owl.

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2 NIV).

Thanks to Laurel Blevins, Karen Hart, and Judy Glen Corbin for this suggestion.

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Whale of a Time

Whale of a Time

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Whale of a Time--two whales divingMy husband and I had a whale of a time watching whales off the coast of Cape Cod. What a thrill. I thought we might see one or two whales, but they were everywhere. Whales surrounded our boat.

That may sound like a whale of a tale, but it’s true. My pictures don’t begin to capture all we saw in spite of a light rain.

A whale of a time means an exceptionally good time.

The experience is:

  • Enjoyable
  • Fun
  • Exciting
  • Huge (like the size of a whale)

Occasionally we add an adjective to the expression and say we had a whale of a good time.

We differ on what makes a whale of a time.

Will we choose to enjoy whatever this day offers?

Certainly, some days challenge us more than others. Nevertheless, our outlook makes a tremendous difference in our degree of enjoyment.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (Psalm 100:1-2 NIV).

Thanks to Jane Ashley Pace for the suggestion.

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On the Same Page

On the Same Page

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On the Same Page: Grandmother reading to grandson, his mouth open in surpriseWhen we read a book together, we want to be on the same page. To read the same words and see the same pictures gives us mutual understanding.

On the same page means we agree.

We share the same:

  • Viewpoint or opinion
  • Attitude
  • Goals
  • Perception

By staying on the same page, we avoid confusion.

We begin and proceed with a similar mindset. As a result, we achieve far more than if our plans or ideas clash.

This remains true whatever we do.

  • Work
  • Sports
  • Academics
  • Investments

However, we want to stay on the same page for the right reasons.

Will our choices:

  • Honor God?
  • Serve the needs of others?
  • Challenge us to be the best we can be?

For the best life, go by the best book, the Bible. In it we learn the source of true joy and the challenge to share that joy with others..

“Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2 NIV).

This idea came from a post by Amy Walsh with Wisdom, Whimsy, and Wordsmithing. Thanks to Tracy Crump for the photo.

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Have Your Cake and Eat It

Have Your Cake and Eat It

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Have your cake and eat it--young woman holding the top layer of a wedding cake.

To have your cake and eat it refers to two things you can’t have or do at the same time.

 A less puzzling earlier version of the expression is to “eat your cake and have it.” You can have cake and then eat it. However, if you eat the cake, you no longer have it.

When my husband and I married, we froze the top layer of our wedding cake until our first anniversary. The first year, we had our cake. At the beginning of the second year, we ate it. We could not enjoy the benefit of keeping and eating our cake at the same time. Each year, we made a choice.

You may want to enjoy both, but you can’t.

For example, you can’t have:

  • Government benefits without tax payments
  • Good grades without study time
  • A new house without a financial investment

You must choose between your desires.

Do you keep your cake, or do you eat it?

All of life requires choices. Seek God’s guidance and choose wisely, since you reap what you sow.

“Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose” (Psalm 25:12 NIV).

Thanks to Lam DeBrot for the suggestion.

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Wishy-washy

Wishy-washy

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Wishy-washy--A thick pot of soupOn cold winter days, our family loves thick soups and chilis. They fill and warm our bodies and delight our taste buds. No wishy-washy soups for us.

Wishy-washy means lacking strength, flavor, or other positive qualities.

It applies to both food and people.

Wishy-washy food is thin, watery, and flavorless.

Such dishes are:

They need seasonings, meat, vegetables, or pasta to add flavor and nutrition.

Wishy-washy people are also weak.

They show little strength of character. Instead, they act:

  • Indecisive
  • Incompetent
  • Lacking in character
  • In need of courage
  • Unstable

Because of those weaknesses, they inspire little confidence and make poor leaders.

Overcome weakness with boldness.

  • Stand firm and strong.
  • Show strength of character
  • Make informed and effective decisions
  • Live with honor and integrity
  • Act with courage

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion. Image by wildhearts from Pixabay.

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Tight as Bark on a Tree

Tight as Bark on a Tree

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Tight as Bark on a Tree--oak leaf on tree barkWe don’t want to overspend, and we do want to save. Yet, we rarely want to be called tight as bark on a tree.

Tight as bark on a tree means extremely careful with money.

Other descriptions include:

In areas with Blackjack oak trees, we frequently hear “as tight as bark on a blackjack.”

If we are tight spenders, we buy only when absolutely necessary.

Money never burns a hole in our pockets. Instead, we lock our pockets and throw away the key! We make do with what we have in order to save.

Although we should save, we don’t want to go overboard.

Money is a means to an end, not the end itself. We use it to meet our needs and the needs of others both now and in the future.

When tempted to remain tight as bark on a tree, let’s remember:

Definitely save for a rainy day. At the same time, spend money and all of life as God leads today.

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want” (Proverbs 11:24 ESV).

Thanks to Billie Sue Kibbons and Lynn Kibbons Collins for the suggestion they recalled from Granny Rosa Fay Scott who lived near an area known as Black Jack, Missouri. Photo by Marta Wave on Pexels.

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Out of Sorts

Out of Sorts

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Out of Sorts--a pile of puzzle pieces

 

Out of Sorts-Kristy HorinePlease welcome my friend Kristy Robinson Horine as today’s guest writer. Kristy and I met at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, where she serves on staff. Kristy makes her life in Paris, Kentucky with her husband, Eric, and is mother to four children – Hanson, Anna, Emily, and Sadie. Her professional and creative work has been published in newspapers, magazines and anthologies in Kentucky and beyond. She offers encouragement for each day through her book, In a Season of Mondays: A 30-Day Devotional Journal.

I knew before I came into the kitchen, I was in trouble. My daily responsibilities took longer than anticipated. I still had to put away groceries and unload the dishwasher before I could start supper. My day had not gone as planned, and I was out of sorts.

To be out of sorts means to be jumbled together or mixed up.

Sometimes, being out of sorts happens the moment our feet hit the floor in the mornings. There is no rhyme or reason for the feeling. It just happens.

Sometimes, being out of sorts happens because of other people’s decisions:

  • A child volunteers to bring cookies to an event but doesn’t tell us until the night before.
  • A co-worker drops the ball, and we are left to pick up the pieces.
  • Another driver gets distracted and crashes into our car.

Other times, being out of sorts happens because of the decisions we make:

  • We forget to unload the dishwasher at the right time.
  • We say yes to too many things.
  • We don’t communicate well, causing chaos and conflict.

Whether being out of sorts comes from within us or from others, we can still choose to act in a way that pleases God.

We find clues in one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

“Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus, that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed” (Luke 1:1-4 World English Bible).

Learning from this passage, we can easily get back on track, even though we find ourselves out of sorts. We can:

  • Listen to those who have been there.
  • Look at our situation with accuracy.
  • Lead others to know the truth.

What are ways you find yourself out of sorts? Can you listen, look, and lead to put things right?

Kristy Horine book--In a Season of MondaysSubscribe to receive Diana’s weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.” On September 9, 2023, one name will be randomly selected from Diana’s mailing list to also receive a free copy of Kristy’s In a Season of Mondays. If your name is already on the mailing list, you are automatically entered. Please encourage your friends to subscribe.

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