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Tag: Diana Derringer

As the Crow Flies

As the Crow Flies

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As the Crow FliesIf we measure distance as the crow flies, we measure in a straight line. Crows are smart birds. They fly the shortest route to get where they want to go.

I have lived in the country most of my life. I love it. One of the fun parts is giving people directions.

In the past we had no GPS and few road signs or mile markers. As a result, people often came up to our house and asked how to get somewhere.

We told them to go past churches, large trees, or barns. Sometimes we said to go over a big hill or around a sharp curve. We often said the distance was “a little way” or “a far piece.”

One of my favorite expressions: “It’s not that far as the crow flies.” That sounds good for crows. They fly straight.

We are not crows. We must go over those hills and around those curves. We have to pass those barns and churches. The crow’s direct route is closer, but we can’t fly.

In life we have daily choices. We choose the roads we travel by foot and in our cars. We also choose our life goals – our paths for daily living.

  • Will we choose straight paths, clearly marked and easy to follow?
  • Will we select routes off the beaten path, beautiful but harder to travel?
  • Will we take forbidden paths, filled with danger?

As Robert Frost said, our decisions make “all the difference.”

“Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path” (Psalm 27:11 NIV).

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Hit the Trail

Hit the Trail

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Hit the TrailI’m almost always ready to hit the trail (or hit the road). Our family loves to travel. Therefore, when someone says it is time to hit the trail, I pack my luggage and go.

A friend recently hit the trail on an unexpected journey. She was out of state celebrating a baby’s birth. As she traveled home, a grandchild called. The little girl begged her grandmother to visit her in another state.

My friend had never used GPS. Neither had she traveled from where she was to where her grandchild lives. Her desire to see her grandchild outweighed her fear of the unknown. She:

  • Pulled off the road
  • Found a GPS app
  • Entered her information
  • Trusted GPS to take her where she wanted to go

She made every turn her app said to take. For two-and-one-half hours she traveled through lovely little towns. She wondered if she was receiving correct directions. Yet, she trusted GPS to lead her.

She made it to her granddaughter’s house by traveling off the beaten path.

Several times during that drive, my friend had the same thought. What if we listened to God like we do GPS? If so, we would be where we need to be.

Of course, GPS devices and apps occasionally lead us the wrong direction. God’s guidance never fails.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Thanks to Suellen Shaw for sharing her experience.

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Let Things Slide

Let Things Slide

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Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens

Why bother doing a good job, if it’s a chore we hate, right? Wrong! We all face the temptation to let things slide, especially if no one sees us.

Why not neglect our responsibilities and have a little fun? Work seems less important if we want to do something else. The longer the job takes, the worse the temptation.

Do any of these excuses sound familiar?

  • “Nobody ever looks under the bed, so why sweep there?”
  • “The boss doesn’t like me, so why do his senseless work?”
  • “Why should I care? No one else does.”

The longer we dwell on such thoughts, the more our excuses grow.

Quite honestly, few people look under the bed. Sometimes the boss doesn’t like us and gives us senseless work. And people don’t always care.

But does that justify less than our best?

We will know:

  • Dirt is under the bed.
  • The assigned task wasn’t done.
  • We cared no more than anyone else.

Once we make a bad habit, it’s hard to break. Like the pressure of a volcano, it grows worse and worse. Sometimes the results are tragic.

Therefore, let’s do our work well. We will feel better about it. Plus, we gain a good reputation.

The easy way does not always equal the best way. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes
9:10 NIV).

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

True Colors

True Colors

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True ColorsI love the explosion of colors every fall.

  • Leaves turn red, yellow, and orange.
  • Pumpkins appear in gardens, yards, and stores.
  • Flowers bloom in every color of the rainbow.

People’s true colors may not be so pleasant or so easily seen. Those with evil plans try to hide them. Their real attitudes, plans, or opinions may not be clear until they hurt us.

At the same time, discovering other people’s true colors can provide pure joy.

  • The fun-loving nature of a shy person
  • The hidden talents of a singer, artist, or actor
  • The kind heart of someone when needs arise

As we enjoy this beautiful time of year, may it remind us of the one who made such beauty possible. May our true colors reflect the splendor of our loving creator.

“He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17 NIV).

What is your favorite time of year?

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Hardheaded

Hardheaded

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HardheadedAre you hardheaded? The following test may help you decide.

1. Do you always want everything your way?
2. Do you refuse to listen to other opinions?
3. Do you have a hard time changing your mind?
4. Do other people call you stubborn? Worse, do they call you stubborn as a mule?

People have different levels of stubbornness or hardheadedness. Some are hardheaded about everything all the time. Others are a little hardheaded part-time.

Strong opinions can be helpful. Presidents and other leaders must stand firm on certain issues. At the same time, they must be willing to listen to all sides of any issue. That was true for the presidents carved on Mt. Rushmore. It remains true for leaders today.

A great plan for both leaders and followers: Listen well. Decide carefully.

“They have become as hardheaded as a rock. They refuse to change their ways” (Jeremiah 5:3 NET).

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You Can’t Take It with You

You Can’t Take It with You

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You Can't Take It with You“You can’t take it with you.” “I’ve never seen a hearse with a trailer behind it.” Both expressions tell us that when we die, we leave our possessions behind.

So, why do we become so concerned about what we own? Those things won’t last.

What we spend most of our lives collecting will someday belong to someone else. Or they may be  thrown in the trash or recycled. Yet, we keep buying stuff we don’t need, trying to live high on the hog.

A missionary friend once laughed and said she enjoys “returning to America every four years to learn what the latest gadgets are that we cannot live without.”

She knows what matters most can’t be purchased with cash, check, or credit card:

  • The love of family
  • A true friend
  • Peace of mind
  • Purpose for living
  • An eternal home in heaven

A meaningful life has no price tag. Why not make our lives more meaningful? Instead of buying useless items, why not spend our money for:

  • Disaster relief
  • World hunger
  • Scholarships
  • Church and missions programs
  • Crisis ministries

We live on earth such a brief time. If you can’t take it with you, why worry about it now? Let’s invest in true riches!

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).

What are your favorite charities?

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Fill Someone’s Shoes

Fill Someone’s Shoes

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Fill Someone's ShoesCharli likes to wear her parents’ shoes. She tries so hard to fill them, but she can’t. Her parents have big shoes to fill.

We often say it will be hard to fill someone’s shoes when that person leaves a position. We also say the person left big shoes to fill. We mean:

  • The person did a good job.
  • We will have a hard time finding someone else that good.
  • The next person will have to work hard to do as well.

None of us can fill someone’s shoes like that person. We may get close. Some people may see no difference. Yet differences remain.

That is true for:

  • Teachers
  • Business leaders
  • Family members
  • Anyone

We each fill our shoes in our own way. God made only one Charli. God made only one me. God made only one you.

Great workers and leaders challenge us to do our best. Yet, we will always be who we are. Therefore, Charli needs to be the best Charli possible. I need to be the best me possible. You need to be the best you possible.

Let’s all leave big shoes to fill.

“Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work” (2 Timothy 2:15 TLB).

Thanks to Natalie Parker for the photo.

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Fly off the Handle

Fly off the Handle

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Fly off the HandleDon’t fly off the handle — helpful advice for axes and for people.

An ax can do great good or great harm. Its heavy metal blade cuts through wood. That wood can provide heat, art, building supplies, and more

However, if the ax blade flies off the handle, look out. Anyone nearby is in danger of injury or death.

Likewise, anger can do great good or great harm. Controlled anger helps us:

  • Speak against evil.
  • Right a wrong.
  • Change ourselves.
  • Lead others to change.

However, we often let anger get out of control. Anger controls us rather than our controlling the anger. We fly off the handle (lose our temper). As a result, we suffer and cause others to suffer.

With an ax, we want to:

  • Keep it in good repair.
  • Hold the handle firmly.
  • Cut wood and never hurt people.

With anger we want to:

  • Understand its cause and purpose.
  • Keep it firmly controlled.
  • Use it for good, not harm.

Remember to treat anger like water off a duck’s back. Use it in a positive way, and gain tools for a better life.

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. (Proverbs 29:22)

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Mind Your Ps and Qs

Mind Your Ps and Qs

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Mind Your Ps and QsSometimes parents or teachers tell children, “Mind your Ps and Qs.” Usually they mean to watch their speech or behavior. They want the children to act right – to mind their manners – to straighten up and fly right.

We need to hear that message too. How often do we:

  • Talk without thinking about the effect of our words?
  • Allow our emotions to control our behavior? We don’t feel well, so we don’t treat others well.
  • Embarrass ourselves by using bad manners?

One thoughtless word or deed can harm or destroy a relationship. Therefore, when we see Ps and Qs on children’s blocks, let’s remember to mind our Ps and Qs.

  • Think before speaking.
  • Think before acting.
  • Use proper manners.

People disagree on the origin of this phrase. It may have begun because the small (lower case) p and q look so much alike. They are the reverse (mirror image) of one another. Therefore, we must be careful when we write. We don’t want to confuse our lettters.

Likewise, we don’t want to confuse right and wrong. Whatever we do, let’s mind our Ps and Qs.

“He wanted them to be understanding, just, and fair in everything they did” (Proverbs 1:3 TLB).

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Fly by the Seat of Our Pants

Fly by the Seat of Our Pants

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Fly by the Seat of Our PantsParagliders often fly by the seat of their pants. They depend on wind and weather for safety and success. Those can change quickly.

Sometimes airplane pilots must also fly by the seat of their pants.

  • They can’t see because of bad weather.
  • The plane’s instruments stop working.
  • They hope to arrive safely on a wing and a prayer.

Like pilots and paragliders, we occasionally face new challenges or problems. We can solve those several ways.

  • Organize our information
  • Explore possible solutions
  • Ask experts
  • Fly by the seat of our pants

When we fly by the seat of our pants, we:

  • Have no experience or skills with the situation
  • Do the best we can by ourselves
  • Work without a plan

Many people fly by the seat of their pants and do well. Some of us end up in a mess. Often those messes cause no great harm. At times, however, we hurt ourselves and others.

With our most important decisions, let’s choose a better way.

“As for God, his way is perfect; The word of the Lord is true. He shields all who hide behind him” (2 Samuel 22:31 TLB).

Have you experienced a fly by the seat of your pants moment? If so, please comment below.

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.