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Tag: difficulties

A Dog’s Life

A Dog’s Life

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A Dog's LifeMany dogs, like Tina, never have to live a dog’s life. Their owners spoil them. They receive all they need and most of what they want.

  • Attention
  • Love
  • Rest
  • Food and shelter
  • Toys and more

In contrast, when we say we lead a dog’s life, we mean we have a terrible life.

  • We receive little or no attention.
  • No one cares.
  • We work too hard.
  • Our needs and wants are unmet.
  • We never have any fun.

Occasionally we may live a dog’s life. Most often, we have an easier life than we think. World news reminds us just how good our life is. Many people suffer because of:

  • War
  • Religious persecution
  • Abuse and neglect
  • Weather-related tragedies
  • Murder and other crimes

The list of suffering seems endless.

If we have food, shelter, and someone to love, we are blessed beyond measure. Our cups run over.

“You, Lord, preserve both people and animals” (Psalm 36:6 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Holland for the expression and Shirley Cheatham for the photo.

 Do you have a dog’s life example? If so, please comment.

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Under the Weather

Under the Weather

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Under the WeatherMost of us feel under the weather from time to time. We are sick or don’t feel well.

A few people suffer depression when they don’t receive enough sunlight. Bad weather does not usually make us sick. Yet, we may get tired of it before it is over. Of course, some people love it and are sad when it goes.

Whether we like bad weather or not, we can feel under the weather. Viruses, headaches, stomachaches, colds, and other illnesses occur in all kinds of weather. Most problems don’t last long.

During serious illness, we need one another’s help.

Our family has received amazing support during major health problems.

  • Cards, phone calls, and other messages
  • Meals and snacks for weeks
  • Gifts
  • Prayers for and with us
  • Short hospital and home visits
  • Help with chores

Although we loved the help, we loved the kind hearts more. Those dear people bent over backwards for us. Friends in all kinds of weather make feeling under the weather less painful.

Thank you one and all.

“I was sick and you looked after me” (Matthew 25:36 NIV).

Do you have a story of help when you or someone you loved was under the weather? Please share in the comments.

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On a Wing and a Prayer

On a Wing and a Prayer

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On a Wing and a Prayer 1Have you ever made it home on a wing and a prayer?

  • Your airplane starts shaking.
  • You see smoke from one wing.
  • The fasten seatbelt light comes on.
  • The captain says he will have to make an emergency landing.
  • You begin to pray.

On a wing and a prayer applies to more than airplanes.

However, it first described damaged planes. According to The Phrase Finder, the expression began during World War II. It means “in poor condition but just managing to get the job done.”

The song “On a Wing and a Prayer,”  written in 1943, described a damaged warplane barely able to return to base. The movie Wing and a Prayer followed in 1944.

On a wing and a prayer offers hope.

Whatever becomes damaged in our lives can still be used. Like the World War II pilots:

  • We use the resources we have.
  • We pray for God’s direction in how to use them.
  • We finish our task.

We all face difficulties. We all have scars, whether seen or unseen. Those scars remind us we can heal and grow stronger from our experiences.

“Have mercy on me, O God! Have mercy on me! For in you I have taken shelter. In the shadow of your wings I take shelter until trouble passes” (Psalm 57:1 NET).

Thank you to Debbie Tapscott for both the suggested expression and the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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A Blessing in Disguise

A Blessing in Disguise

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Courtesy of Trevor Gosser
Courtesy of Trevor Gosser

This little guy loves cows. He’s also one of my favorite examples of a blessing in disguise.

His birth was premature and difficult. For days we didn’t know if he or his mother would live. None of our family wants to relive that experience. Yet from it, we gained countless blessings, including:

  • Closer relationships
  • Increased faith
  • Generous support from friends and strangers
  • A greater appreciation for every day

As Laura Story’s song, Blessings, reminds us, our hardest times may be blessings in disguise. Have you experienced any of the following?

  • You’re fired from a job but hired for a better one.
  • A boyfriend (or girlfriend) dumps you; then you find the love of your life.
  • You receive a bad grade or job review, so you improve your study or work habits.
  • An injury forces you to take a much needed rest.
  • You lose internet service and rediscover the joy of talking.

Whenever anything bad happens, look closely. You may find a blessing in disguise.

“I will make them and the area around My hill a blessing: I will send down showers in their season—showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:26 HCSB).

What is your greatest blessing in disguise? Please comment below.

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Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

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Every Cloud Has a Silver LiningAs children, my sister and I would lie flat on our backs to look at the clouds. We saw elephants, dogs, trains, candy canes … You name it, we saw it, if we looked long enough.

When the clouds brought rain showers, we danced in circles with our heads back and our mouths open. We soaked up the fun, getting soaked in the process.

But when dark clouds brought lightning and thunder, we dashed inside for safety.

Eventually the sun popped out again, and the clouds’ edges glowed! We learned early in life to look for those silver linings.

We experienced few tragedies as children. We knew when any threat did appear, we had someone to brave it with us. The belief that every cloud has a silver lining taught us to look for the good in every hardship. We learned to hope for better days ahead, each with its own special beauty.

As adults, our difficulties increased. Nevertheless, the promise of someone with us never changed.

  • We still have one another.
  • We have other family members and friends.
  • We have church family.
  • Above all, we have our loving God who promises never to leave us.

We continue to believe every cloud has a silver lining. We hold to the hope that:

  • Life’s difficulties make us stronger.
  • We can support people with similar hardships.
  • God gives strength needed for every day.
  • This life’s troubles will not last.
  • We have a home in heaven, if we trust Jesus.

“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NLT).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Building Bridges

Building Bridges

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Building BridgesSince the beginning of time, people have built bridges to get from where they are to where they want to be.

Or, they built bridges so other people could get to them. Either way, they made connections.

We sometimes forget that the greatest bridges cannot be seen with our eyes.

Emotional or spiritual connections can last longer than the best built physical bridge. Those lasting connections, however, demand work. We must be willing to:

  • Invest time and effort to stay in touch
  • Quickly correct any misunderstandings or problems
  • Accept one another’s imperfections
  • Confront issues that can’t be overlooked
  • Forgive each other’s failures

Building physical bridges can be messy.

Frequent difficulties include:

  • Bad weather
  • Delays in receiving building materials
  • Tired and grouchy workers
  • Unexpected expenses

Building emotional bridges can be far messier.

Relationship challenges include:

  • Multiple responsibilities
  • Limited information
  • Fatigue and bad moods
  • Illness
  • Financial strains
  • Personality differences

So, is the effort worth it?

Absolutely!

I continually give thanks to all who have loved me through good times and bad. I pray that I will always be there for them, as well.

In every relationship, we can learn from the greatest bridge builder of all.

He came from heaven to show us the way to join Him there.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'” (John 14:6).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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