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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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Bury the Hatchet

Bury the Hatchet

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Bury the Hatchet--a hatchet surrounded by pieces of woodHow I wish our world would learn to bury the hatchet. Divisions occur everywhere.

People have always disagreed, and that’s okay. However, why not learn to disagree agreeably? Instead, we:

  • Hate
  • Argue
  • Gossip
  • Fight

We war against one another with words and actions.

This happens among:

  • Family members
  • Friends
  • Neighbors
  • Cities
  • States
  • Countries

Bury the hatchet originated as a Native American tradition.

According to The Phrase Finder, “Hatchets were buried by the chiefs of tribes when they came to a peace agreement.” What a powerful symbol.

We can bury the hatchet too.

When we recognize destructive speech or behavior, we have a choice. We can follow the same pattern, or we can break the cycle.

Peace requires strength.

To choose not to harm another person or group of people calls for courage. If someone hurts us, our natural reaction is to hurt them. We are ready to lock horns. Yet, two wrongs don’t make a right. Suffering continues on both sides.

Jesus taught and lived love and forgiveness for everyone. Although not easy, that remains the only way to true and lasting peace.

“Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace” (Psalm 37:37 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Knowles for the suggestion. Image by Davie Bicker from Pixabay.

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Half-Hearted

Half-Hearted

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Half-Hearted--autumn maple leaf with heart in centerI don’t like to play golf. When family or friends invite me, I play a half-hearted game. I prefer to hit the trail for a long walk in the country. Nature’s beauty thrills me any time of year, not hours on a golf course.

Half-hearted means my heart is not in an activity.

I don’t care for the activity or its results. Therefore, I give it little attention or effort. Other half-hearted examples include to:

  • Say, “I am sorry,” but not mean it
  • Invite a friend to visit but hope they stay home
  • Study for a test while texting and watching television

Sometimes half-hearted means I lack courage.

I act like a coward, full of fear. Rather than do what needs to be done, I hope someone else does it.

For example, if a frog were to get in my house, I would probably wait in another room while a braver person gets it out. I might yell at the frog to leave – from a distance. Because frogs jump too fast, I would want help. So far, all frogs have stayed outside.

When others need help, I want to give them whole-hearted attention.

May God fill me with the courage to show true love and concern. Like so many who have helped me, I want to serve God and help others from the heart—my whole heart.

“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever” (Psalm 86:12 NIV).

Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion. Image by Rebekka D with Pixabay.

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Afraid of His Own Shadow

Afraid of His Own Shadow

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Afraid of His Own ShadowDo you know anyone afraid of his own shadow?  He:

  • Frightens easily
  • Is afraid of almost everything
  • Has a hard time trusting anyone and anything
  • Is usually shy
  • Avoids other people, especially crowds.

No one wants to be afraid of his own shadow.

Some people make fun of a person with fears. They may bully him, which makes his fears worse. Other people feel sorry for him.

A person afraid of his own shadow needs courage.

Like the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz, he wants to be strong. He may try to hide his fear by acting brave.

Children often fear their shadow when they see it the first time. Yet, there is no real reason to fear. They simply need someone to help them understand their shadow and be brave.

There is no real reason for many fears.

Like children, an adult afraid of his own shadow needs help understanding the shadows that scare him. Some problems are real. Some are not.

When a person trusts God, God promises to be with him through both good and bad (scary) times. He can stand tall, unafraid, trusting God’s love and care.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).

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Stand Firm

Stand Firm

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Stand FirmThe lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia reminds us to stand firm.

Built in an area of great beauty, its original purpose had nothing to do with beauty. Like all lighthouses, it had work to do.

  • Stand tall enough to be seen by ships at sea.
  • Spread its light so it could be seen at night.
  • Monitor weather conditions.
  • Warn ships of danger.

Because of their locations, lighthouses face attacks from water, wind, and erosion.

Their personal dangers never keep them from doing their job.

They stand firm – never moving, never quitting.

Because of personal differences, people sometimes disagree.

We can handle those disagreements three ways.

  1. Compromise.
  2. Accept the other person’s position.
  3. Stand firm.

Either of the first two will work, if they cause no harm. I usually prefer those choices.

However, if harm will result from the first two, we must stand firm. Regardless of the consequences, we must refuse to change our thought or actions.  We must not move. We must not quit.

Like lighthouses, we have work to do.

  • Make the truth visible.
  • Apply it to current conditions.
  • Warn others when they approach danger.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV).

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Stand Tall

Stand Tall

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Stand TallThe Redwood Forests of northern California never cease to amaze me. Standing at the base of the world’s tallest trees, people appear small and insignificant.

Like soldiers with their shoulders back and heads high, the redwoods stand tall and brave.

Their pasts include attacks from animals, weather, and people. Like all of nature, they face an unknown future. Yet they stand tall.

So can we.

Regardless of our size or struggles. God created each of us for a special purpose.

Therefore, we can stand tall, not in our own strength but in God’s strength.

Each redwood began as a tiny seed.

Each had an uphill battle to survive. Life can’t be easy for them. Yet, facing hardships makes them stronger.

Likewise, standing tall and courageous does not mean we never have problems or we’re never afraid. It does mean we:

  • Face our fears and grow stronger.
  • Learn from our struggles and grow wiser.
  • Accept our limits and grow humble.
  • Support one another and grow closer.

Whatever comes our way, we can stand tall, knowing, with God’s help, we never stand alone.

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm” (Exodus 14:13 NIV).

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