Browsed by
Tag: delay

Let It Be

Let It Be

Comments 2 comments

Let It Be--Green River Lake sceneLet it be. Let it lie. Let sleeping dogs lie. All mean about the same.

To let it be means to leave a situation alone.

  • Wait rather than discuss it.
  • Don’t think too much about it.
  • Choose not to act yet.
  • Don’t dwell on the negative.
  • Get away from it.
  • Relax.

Let it be also relates to people.

We give people space when we let them be. We don’t bother them. They (or we) may need time, so we leave them alone for a while.

We may have to deal with the situation or person later.

However, extra time allows us to:

  • Gain more understanding
  • Think more clearly
  • Prepare a plan

Added time also helps us avoid getting in a jam or opening a can of worms.

 A few situations demand immediate attention.

We must act quickly. When that happens, let’s act wisely. We want to use our information and resources in the best possible way.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Dillydally

Dillydally

Comments 6 comments

Dillydally-stop sign with a "wasting time" sign below itWhen we were children, adults occasionally warned us not to dillydally. This often happened when we failed to:

  • Do our chores
  • Finish our homework
  • Go to bed on time
  • Get up on time
  • Take a bath
  • Prepare for a special event

Dad often told us to rise and shine when we wanted to stay and sleep.

If we don’t want to do something, we dillydally.

We waste time. Similar words or expressions include:

  • Lollygag
  • Drag our feet
  • Goof off
  • Dawdle

Similar spellings include:

  • Dilly dally
  • Dilly-dally

All mean we do nothing or move slowly. We delay what we should do with less important activity.

We dillydally with actions that have no real purpose.

Rather than meaningful activity, we do something useless.

If we cannot decide, we may dillydally.

We put off doing anything, because we don’t know what to do. However, we can’t ride the fence forever. Eventually we must choose.

Perhaps we have several expressions for wasting time because we do it so often.

What do you think? Please comment.

“Don’t waste time along the way” (Luke 10:4 TLB).

Thanks to Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.