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Cut from a Different Cloth

Cut from a Different Cloth

Cut from a Different Cloth--Scissors on solid blue and blue checked fabricsMy grandmother taught me to sew. We made most garments from one cloth. However, we cut some from a different cloth.

Literally, cut from a different cloth means garments made from different fabrics.

I made the top of one dress from velvet. The bottom was satin. Although unlike one another, the two cloths worked well together.

Figuratively, cut from a different cloth means people or objects differ.

We may vary in:

  • Personality
  • Culture
  • Interests
  • Backgrounds

Being cut from a different cloth can cause problems.

If we refuse to accept anyone unlike us, life becomes difficult.

Everyone suffers from:

  • Inability to get along
  • Lack of understanding
  • Poor support

Often, our differences matter little.

We may compromise or change our minds on:

  • Decorations
  • Menus
  • Entertainment

Other times, we must stand firm in our convictions.

We never want to waver on:

  • Eternal matters
  • Harmful behavior
  • Honesty

Whether cut from the same or a different cloth, let’s learn to get along.

  • Disagree in agreeable ways.
  • Respect one another.
  • Listen and learn.

“Show proper respect to everyone” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion.

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Figure Out

Figure Out

Figure Out--flowers with butterflySome things in life are hard to figure out.

  • How do flowers grow from buds?
  • What makes winter so cold and summer so hot?
  • How do butterflies grow from cocoons? (Can you find the butterfly in this picture?)

Some people say figure it out instead of figure out.

When we figure out anything, we solve a problem.

We:

  • Learn how to do something
  • Understand what we did not understand before
  • Find an explanation for something
  • Begin to see daylight

Sometimes we figure out things. Other times we figure out people.

  • Not all people think the same way we do.
  • Our actions differ.
  • We have different goals.

We need to figure out how to get along in spite of our differences.

  • We don’t have to agree to be agreeable.
  • We don’t have to act the same way to act with kindness.
  • We don’t have to share the same goals to support one another.

If we look at the other side of the coin, we may learn something.

I have a hard time figuring out math problems. I know all my questions drove my teachers crazy. One would say, “Think. Just think.” I was thinking. However, I could not think like he did. I was in over my head. I am thankful those teachers did not give up on me. Instead, they bent over backwards to help me.

Life is often hard. Why not help one another figure out the best way to live it?

“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own’” (Jeremiah 33:2-3 MSG).

Thanks to Judy Clark for the suggestion.

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

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