devotion Archives - Page 5 of 51

Misery Loves Company

January 15, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

When we feel bad, knowing other people share our feelings encourages us. Misery loves company.

To have friends or family tell us they have experienced our troubles helps us feel better. If they go through their problems the same time as ours, we support one another.

Misery loves company means we hate to suffer alone.

Mutual pain makes our pain easier to bear.

Misery loves company sometimes comes from a mean motive.

If we hurt, we want others to hurt.
If we feel down in the dumps, we want everyone down in the dumps too.
If we fail, we want the world to fail.

We think everyone should feel as bad as we do.

Other times, our motives remain pure.

We don’t want others to suffer. Yet, it helps to know we are not alone. Having someone who understands from experience makes a big difference. We:

Trust them
Feel comfortable with them
Cry with them
Laugh with them
Pray for better days ahead

Friends help friends in good times and bad.

In all life’s ups and downs, we remain there for one another. I appreciate the prayers and love so many of you have expressed in recent years.

“It was good of you to share in my troubles” (Philippians 4:14 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

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Wishy-washy

January 8, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 14 comments

On 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:

Weak on spices
Watered down

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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Woolgathering

January 1, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

I have never witnessed anyone shearing a sheep. I think it would be a hot, tiring job for both sheep and shearer. Perhaps they get through it by woolgathering, letting their thoughts roam.

Woolgathering began with a literal meaning.

According to Miriam Webster dictionary, woolgathering originally meant “gathering loose tufts of wool … caught on bushes and fences as sheep passed by.” That would have taken a long time with few results and little income. Those gathering wool probably appeared “to wander aimlessly.”

Eventually woolgathering developed a figurative meaning.

It meant minds wandering aimlessly and foolishly.

Occasional thoughts with no purpose help us relax.

We enjoy time to:

Sit on a porch and shoot the breeze
Daydream under a shade tree
Listen to waves lap against a beach

Too much woolgathering gets us in trouble.

We want to pay attention when we:

Work
Drive
Complete paperwork

A word to the wise:

Work when we need to work. Woolgather when we have time to relax.

“Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion; wise realists plant their feet on the ground” (Proverbs 14:18 MSG).

Thanks to Jeri Stone for the suggestion. Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay.

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Work Wonders

December 25, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

This hand-crafted ornament came from a local school’s art fair. I watched the craftsman work wonders with simple pieces of wood.

To work wonders means to create an excellent outcome.

My dad also produced amazing woodwork. I have examples throughout our house. You can find one in my explanation of “Make Do.”

Although successful in his craft, Dad did not make money from it. Instead, he gave away almost everything he created. He defined success as helping others.

After a busy day, rest works wonders for minds and bodies.

Whatever work we do, we need time away from it. Other wonder-working aids include:

Proper nutrition
Regular exercise
Social interaction
Ongoing learning
Daily devotions

All help us be our best selves.

The greatest wonder of history came in the form of a baby.

Jesus left the splendor of heaven to be born to a peasant family.
He left absolute safety for a life of danger.
God in flesh died so we might have life.
He arose from the grave and has prepared a home in heaven for all who follow Him.

That is what Christmas is all about. God who works wonders. Immanuel — God with us.

Merry Christmas!

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew 1:23 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion.

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Bridge the Gap

December 18, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

On a mission trip several years ago, a subway recording told us to mind the gap. That warning to watch our step prevented accidents. More important than minding the gap, our team wanted to bridge the gap.

To bridge the gap means to serve as a bridge.

We connect two:

Points
People
Groups of people

We bridge the gap when we build physical bridges.

Many of us love old swinging bridges. However, most bridges today are stronger, safer, and not as scary. All bridges make it easier to get from one place to another.

We also build relationship bridges.

Two people or groups of people may disagree or misunderstand one another. To bridge the gap, we unite them. Gaps occur in:

Beliefs
Languages
Goals

To bridge the gap relieves a problem.

If we:

Need money, we request a loan.
Feel overwhelmed, we seek support.
Require help, we ask for assistance.

Jesus bridges the gap between God and people.

That was the message our mission team shared.

Our sins or wrongdoings separate us from the one and only holy God. Jesus came to earth to pay the price for our sins. He:

Lived a sinless life.
Died on a cross to pay the price for our sins.
Rose from the dead on the third day, defeating sin and death.

Jesus solved our sin problem. When we turn from our wrongs and give control of our lives to Jesus, we cross the bridge from death to eternal life.

As we celebrate Christmas, may we never forget the reason Jesus came.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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Tongue Lashing

December 11, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

One time when I disobeyed my dad, he caught me red-handed. However, he did not get home to discuss my misdeed until late. I worried all day that I was in hot water. I dreaded the tongue lashing to come.

Dad never said anything. I think he knew I had suffered enough.

Tongue lashings hurt. A lot.

Just ask any of us who have received one. Most people I know prefer almost any other form of correction.

Corporal punishment is seldom used anymore. Yet, we often hear people say they would rather have a spanking than a tongue lashing.

A tongue lashing means a scolding.

Sometimes severe and lengthy, the speaker lectures the other person (or animal). Words may include:

Criticism
Anger
Disappointment

Disappointment is often harder to hear than anger or criticism.

If we have a close relationship with the speaker, we don’t want to let him down. That was the case with my dad.

Tongue lashings can be for our good, or they can be cruel.

Either is hard to take. However, if we know the person desires the best for us, we gain from what he says.

May we speak strong words when needed. May we always speak from a heart of love.

Thanks to Marita Smeathers Mantooth for the suggestion and to Bethany Ferr with Pexels for the photo.

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Read Between the Lines

December 4, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 9 comments

“I’m not angry!” she yells as she clenches her fists and stomps away! If we read between the lines, we hear the message of her behavior rather than her words.

To read between the lines means to find the true message.

We understand what was not said or written — what a person really means. Hidden feelings or thoughts become clear.

This can also happen when anyone hems and haws, trying to avoid giving an answer.

Read between the lines comes from cryptography.

Secret writing hides true messages between the lines of text. The Free Dictionary’s explanations include:

“In one code, reading every second line of a message gives a different meaning from that of the entire text.”
In another method, people “write the secret information in invisible ink between the lines of a document.”

Honesty with self and others makes life easier.

When we try to fool anyone, no one wins. Better to say and do what we mean, to remain on the up and up. The Apostle Paul left his readers a good example.

“My letters have been straightforward and sincere; nothing is written between the lines!” (2 Corinthians 1:13 TLB).

Thanks to Amy Walsh for the idea from a recent social media post.

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Put Your Best Foot Forward

November 27, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

This young deer probably never heard you should put your best foot forward. Nevertheless, she did a great job demonstrating it. She nibbled on that honeysuckle vine with speed and purpose.

I thought she would run when I stepped onto the porch. However, she kept eating except when she turned to pose. She and her mama stared at me while I stared at them.

To put your best foot forward means to work quickly and with great effort.

You determine not to get off on the wrong foot. Instead, you:

Commit to your task.
Seek to succeed.
Stay on your toes.

In the process, you often impress others.

When you put your best foot forward, you act with enthusiasm.

In addition to hard work, you maintain a positive attitude. Your example may also lead others to work harder and better. Your passion may become their passion.

“Acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you” (1 Thessalonians 5:12 NIV).

Thanks to Joanne Viola for the suggestion.

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Neck of the Woods

November 20, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 13 comments

I recently visited a lovely site near our neck of the woods. Natural Arch in the Daniel Boone National Forest has a convenient overlook. I also walked down the hill to the arch. The return up the hill reminded my muscles that hills are harder to hike than level ground!

Neck of the woods means a particular area.

According to The Free Dictionary, “This expression originated in the United States. ‘Neck’ comes from ‘naiack’ which means ‘point’ or ‘corner’ in an Algonquian Native American language.” It refers to a “narrow strip of woodland” or “a forest settlement.”

Although originally a rural description, this idiom now includes urban areas.

I consider our neck of the woods the garden spot of the world. We enjoy the best of country life close to a small town.

My neck of the woods probably looks different from yours.

However, we can enjoy what each area offers.

Just as locations differ, so do people.

We do well when we appreciate all people. We don’t have to:

Look alike
Talk alike
Act alike or
Enjoy the same things

May we all open our eyes to the God-given potential of others, regardless of their neck of the woods.

“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets” (Psalm 50:1 NIV).

Thanks to Jane Ashley Pace for the suggestion.

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Give It a Rest

November 13, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 14 comments

Sometimes we want people to give it a rest. Their constant talk or actions get on our nerves. Of course, we probably get on their nerves from time to time too.