devotion Archives - Page 14 of 51

Spread Too Thin

March 21, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 7 comments

Do you ever find yourself spread too thin? Like too little peanut butter on a piece of bread, you cannot cover all you need to do.

You have too many irons in the fire and meet yourself coming and going. Your to-do list keeps growing. If you finish one task, two more take its place.

Spread too thin means you have too much to do and too little time to do it.

You have so many activities, you cannot keep up. You run short on:

Time
Energy
Resources

You feel overwhelmed and can do none of your tasks well.

When spread too thin, allow others to help you.

Extra hands make the work go faster. They also encourage you to keep on keeping on.

Take breaks.

That sounds crazy, but it helps. A few minutes, hours, or days to relax does wonders.

If your stress level soars, time away helps:

Emotionally – Life looks better and hope returns.
Physically – Energy levels increase.
Mentally – Your mind clears, and you think better.
Spiritually – Rest and prayer restores.

Do what you can. Get help. Take breaks.

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint” (Jeremiah 31:24 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Knowles for the suggestion.

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I am not a sardine fan, but many people are. Whether we like them or not, we get our money’s worth when we buy a tin of sardines. Those cans are full of little fish. We enjoy food packed like sardines. However, we don’t like to feel crowded ourselves.

Packed like sardines means to be packed tightly.

Usually that includes feeling:

Uncomfortable
Unable to move

We hope for relief soon

The space is too small for the number of people in it. That often happens with:

Subways
Buses
Concerts
Shopping centers
City streets

We don’t have enough room. We feel trapped

Rather than crowds and fenced in places, we long for the freedom of wide-open spaces.

Crowds can be good sometimes.

We want lots of people to show up to:

Learn important information
Help others
Receive the services they need

Jesus welcomed crowds while on earth and continues to welcome crowds today. However, Jesus also spent time alone. We do well to follow that example.

“Crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:15-16 NIV).

Thanks to Joe and Ann Klotz for the suggestion. Image by monicore from Pixabay.

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Alive and Kicking

March 7, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Few of us can kick as high as Stella. Yet, we can move at our own pace. We are alive and kicking.

I recently talked with a friend I had not seen in several years. When I asked how she was, she said, “I’m still kicking.” Like most people, she had experienced ups and downs. Some days she kicks higher than others.

Alive and kicking means alive and well.

As my father loved to say, we are “full of vim, vigor, and vitality.” We have:

Energy
Enthusiasm
Health

We are:

Strong
Alert
Active

We still exist, so we still have purpose.

Alive and kicking does not mean a perfect life.

We all deal with less than perfect experiences. That’s life. We may suffer:

Health crises
Financial woes
Relationship problems
Daily challenges

Yet, we don’t give up. Rather, we rise and shine. We give thanks for each day and determine to make the most of the resources and abilities we possess.

We kick as high as we can.

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4 NIV).

Thanks to Virginia Harris Sturgeon for the suggestion and to Rhonda Wade Royster for the photo.

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Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

February 28, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

When people wrong us, our natural reaction is to get even. We want to hurt them, to give them a taste of their own medicine. However, two wrongs don’t make a right.

If we keep hurting one another, everyone loses. In a battle of revenge, no one wins. Instead, we cut off our nose to spite our face. We never resolve a conflict with more conflict.

Two wrongs don’t make a right means a second offense does not cancel the first one.

Insulting someone who insults us does not erase our pain.
Attacking someone who attacked us does not take away the injury.
Lying about a person who lied about us only means neither of us can be trusted.

When we harm others, we harm ourselves.

Getting even may release part of our stress. Yet, bad feelings continue. When revenge rises, let’s nip it in the bud. Get rid of it before it gets out of control.

Don’t nurse negative emotions.

Jesus offers a better way.

Love
Compassion
Grace
Forgiveness.

Jesus’ life on earth demonstrated the words He taught. As soldiers nailed Him to a cross, Jesus forgave them. He was dying for them.

None of us deserve Jesus’ salvation, but He offers it anyway. Only when we follow His example will be experience inner peace. Problems may continue. Others may cause trouble. Yet, we have peace because we know the Prince of Peace.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44 NIV).

Thanks to Jason Smith for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

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Eyes Bigger than Our Belly

February 21, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

Many times, our eyes are bigger than our belly. We see good food and want it. All of it. The more we see, the more we want. This happens frequently at:

Buffets with endless choices
Thanksgiving feasts
Potluck dinners where everyone brings food
Family meals with all our childhood favorites
Cookouts with piping hot food from a grill

Eating small amounts at such events takes more willpower than many of us possess. Instead, we fill our plates to the top and eat until we feel like we will pop.

The taste is wonderful. The misery later, not so great.

Eyes bigger than our belly means we take more food than we can eat.

Eyes bigger than our stomach means the same.

We love what we see. We want to eat everything we see. Yet, we cannot possibly digest all we pile on our plates.

Rather than eating until we get sick, why not share our food with others?

Most communities have food pantries or crisis centers to help the hungry. Churches frequently sponsor food programs. We may have neighbors who would enjoy our extra.

Instead of eyes bigger than our belly, why not hearts bigger than our hunger? A little food for thought for all of us.

“If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday” (Isaiah 58:10 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion and to Diann Paxton with Caterpillar Crossing for the photo.

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Bell the Cat

February 14, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

“Somebody ought to do something.” We often say that about a hard job nobody wants to do. No one wants to bell the cat.

To bell the cat means to perform a difficult task.

We take responsibility and do what needs to be done. It may be risky or dangerous. At times, the job may seem or be impossible.

This expression comes from a fable.

Mice were scared of a cat and did not know what to do. They met to discuss the situation, as portrayed in this cartoon. One mouse suggested putting a bell around the cat’s neck, so they could hear the cat coming. They would be saved by the bell. However, when asked who would bell the cat, no one wanted to tackle such a dangerous job.

The fable teaches that a plan serves no purpose if it is impossible or no one does it. Many tasks are easier said than done.

We give thanks for people who bell the cat.

They see the risks but do their jobs anyway.

Firefighters who enter burning buildings
Police officers who run toward, instead of away from, danger
Doctors, nurses, and other medical staff who risk illness to keep us healthy
Utility workers who do their jobs in the worst weather to provide electricity, phones, and other services

What about us? Are we ready to do what needs to be done, including jobs no one else wants to do?

God calls each of us. Sometimes our work is easy and sometimes hard. Whatever the task, how will we respond?

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV).

Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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What Will Be Will Be

February 7, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite songs was Doris Day’s “Que Sera, Sera” (Whatever Will Be Will Be). She sounded so happy. The music’s rhythm made me skip and swirl as I sang along.

Only later did I pay attention to the song’s meaning.

The words were not as optimistic as I originally thought.

In some ways, what will be will be sounds hopeless.

In a nutshell, it seems we have no control. We cannot change the future.

If we have no control, why do anything at all?

Yet, we do have some control.

We cannot change everything, but we can change some things.

What will be will be tells us not to worry about what we cannot control.

Natural disasters
Disease
Other people’s actions
Death

Will worry stop any of those from happening? No. If they do not happen, did worry prevent them? No.

As my friend Marian Woosley often said, Why worry when we can pray?

Control what we can. Let the rest go.

Rather than wring our hands about the future, let go and let God lead us today.

Prepare as much as possible for natural disasters.
Practice good health habits
Treat other people well.
Be ready for death, whenever it comes.

When we do what we can under God’s leadership, life may still be hard. Yet, God gives us peace and joy.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion and to Mary Lou Rafferty for the photo..

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Water Down

January 31, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 11 comments

Whatever lies below a waterfall gets watered down quickly. The water:

Covers it
Weakens it
Overwhelms it

If we hike to the bottom of the waterfall, its power grabs our attention. We rarely notice other sights and sounds.

To water down means to cover or weaken something.

Surfaces we may cover with water include:

Yards with new grass seed
Clothes ready to wash
Houses and buildings in danger from nearby fires

We add water to weaken or dilute:

Soups
Juices or other drinks
Sauces

We also water down or weaken:

Stock values
Agreements
Laws
Truth

All lose worth and become less effective when we omit important information.

If we water down the truth, everyone loses.

We may not want to share hard truth. However, we need to know reality, even if we don’t like it or it hurts. Plus, people no longer trust us if we tell less than the truth. Better to stay on the up and up.

If we have not told the truth, remember confession is good for the soul. It’s never too late to turn over a new leaf.

“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies” Proverbs 14:5 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion.

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Smack Dab in the Middle

January 24, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

I discovered this lovely chandelier smack dab in the middle of a winding staircase at Biltmore Estate. It helps light the way for anyone climbing the stairs. It also adds beauty to the climb.

Smack dab in the middle means exactly in the middle.

It may apply to place, like the location of this light fixture. Place also refers to geography, such as the center of a town, state, or country.

In addition to place, smack dab in the middle refers to:

Size – between the largest and the smallest
Level – straight rather than crooked
Position – in the middle of other people
Opinion – agreement with points on both sides of an issue

Smack dab in the middle can be good or bad.

People choose the size of their meal by how hungry they are.
Homeowners usually want straight walls. Artwork with crooks and curves adds interest.
Some people hate a middle position. Others like it. Relationship matters more than position.
A middle opinion or compromise often works. However, people must occasionally stand firm.

Whether people are smack dab in the middle or not, this chandelier offers important lessons.

Light the way for those in the dark.
Add beauty to the world.

It also offers a lovely reminder to remain smack dab in the middle of God’s will.

“Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:27 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion.

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Two Left Feet

January 17, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

Sometimes I think I was born with two left feet. I constantly bump into things and discover bruises with no idea how I got them.

I have had this talent all my life. As a child, I practiced math by counting my bruises. I think fifteen to twenty was my record.

Two left feet means clumsy.

I bump into:

Doors
Furniture
Counter tops

This awkward talent often results from having my head in the clouds. My mind wanders. I fail to pay attention.

Two left feet often refers to a poor dancer.

I have never danced much. However, when I dance, I pay more attention. A few people have a tough time getting their dancing feet to work together.

Practice improves coordination.

If I focus on my task, I run into things less often. If dancers practice, they improve their skill. Paying attention always helps.

When walking or dancing, focus on feet. When reading or talking, watch those words. When listening, remain all ears. Pay special attention when God directs.

“Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say” (Isaiah 28:23 NIV).

Thanks to Charles Smithers for the suggestion.

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