Browsed by
Tag: encouragement

No Bigger than a Minute

No Bigger than a Minute

Comments 16 comments

No Bigger than a Minute--Diana with nephewSome expressions suit us to a T.  This one describes me. All my life, I have been the smallest or one of the smallest in most settings.

  • Smallest person in my family
  • One of the smallest in my classes at school
  • Smallest in my office
  • Usually smallest in sports

You get the picture. Here I stand with my then 15-year-old nephew. The gentle giant with the shrimp of the family.

What makes this picture more fun: He was born tiny and premature. I was a big full-term baby.

No bigger than a minute means very small.

The expression often refers to a person who looks:

  • Tiny
  • Skinny
  • Frail
  • Hungry

This can also refer to animals or objects.

Abandoned baby animals look frail and hungry. In addition to food, they need tender loving care.

This expression has a few variations.

Although poor grammar, the following are common.

  • Weren’t no bigger than a minute
  • Ain’t bigger than a minute

 Anyone or anything no bigger than a minute can make a big difference.

Regardless of our size (or any other characteristic), God can use us to make the world a better place. Let’s work together — gentle giants, shrimps, and everyone in between — to spread God’s love with a hurting world.

“He will bless those who fear the Lord—small and great alike” (Psalm 115:13 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Klotz for the suggestion.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Sleep Like a Log

Sleep Like a Log

Comments 14 comments

 

Sleep Like a Log--large log with branches still attached before a tall treeI rise early most mornings. However, caregiving, especially getting up several times a night, occasionally wears me down. If I become extremely tired and have few interruptions, I sleep like a log.

Recently, after days of meeting myself coming and going, I slept almost two hours past my usual wakeup. I felt wonderful! A good night’s sleep solves a lot of life’s woes!

To sleep like a log means a deep, restful sleep.

Similar expressions include sleep like a:

  • Baby
  • Top
  • Rock

All mean to sleep:

  • Well
  • Soundly
  • Without waking

To sleep like a log can be dangerous.

Although we want to sleep soundly, we can overdo it. A friend in college slept so well that other people in his dorm had to wake him when his alarm went off. I once slept through a tornado warning. Someone finally realized I was missing and woke me.

Several steps help achieve a good night’s rest.

  • Go to bed and get up about the same time every day.
  • Keep the room free of distractions.
  • Maintain a regular pre-sleep routine.
  • Eliminate screen time an hour or more before going to bed.

God gave us the gift of sleep. Let’s make the most of it.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8 NIV).

Thanks to Joanne Viola for the suggestion.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Misery Loves Company

Misery Loves Company

Comments 12 comments

Misery Loves Company--someone grasping another person's hands 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.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Work Wonders

Work Wonders

Comments 4 comments

Work Wonders-- wooden Christmas ornament--Mary and baby Jesus in center--"For unto you a child is born cut out around the edges

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.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap

Comments 4 comments

Bridge the Gap--swinging bridge among trees and plants

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.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Break a Leg

Break a Leg

Comments 11 comments

Break a Leg--man on hospital bed with foot wrapped and propped upNo one wants to break a leg or any other body part. Just ask our worship pastor. He has spent months in pain from a broken foot. His injuries have required surgeries, casts, boots, and a wheelchair. He has also endured a walker, cane, crutches, and numerous therapy sessions.

With that in mind, why do people tell others to break a leg? The expression sounds cruel.

Break a leg means to wish people good luck.

It offers encouragement, especially to performers on opening night. The speaker hopes the actors bring down the house.

Some believe wishing actors good luck causes bad luck. Therefore, they say the opposite of what they mean. The Phrase Finder offers several possible origins for this superstition.

Although they understand the idiom, some people choose not to use it.

Not everyone understands the meaning, so it could result in hurt feelings. However, others use the expression as a fun tradition. If necessary, they explain what they mean.

Prayer offers a better alternative.

Whether a person says to break a leg or not, prayer remains the greatest gift. Prayer does not rely on superstition. It also removes the need for worry. As my friend Marian Woosley often said, “Why worry when we can pray?” True for actors. True for everyone.

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony” (Psalm 6:2 NIV).

Thanks to Candyce Carden for the suggestion and to Katherine Bonds for the photo.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Get Back on the Horse

Get Back on the Horse

Comments 12 comments

Get Back on the Horse--horses in field behind flowering shrubsGet back on the horse. That’s what we often hear if we fall. The horse may have bucked us, or we may have fallen for other reasons. Whatever the cause, we receive encouragement to try again.

My sister disagrees. As a teenager, she did not like to ride horses. A cousin convinced her to ride behind him. She did. On a trip through our orchard, he lowered his head to miss a tree branch. He forgot to tell her. That was her last horse ride.

Get back on the horse means to try again.

We don’t give up. Instead, we get up. We go another time. One failure does not mean we will always fail.

Life gets difficult for everyone. We all fall. People or circumstances hurt us. Nevertheless, we keep going.

We learn from our mistakes.

Rather than kick ourselves, we try to correct what went wrong. We don’t want to live in fear—with cold feet—all our lives.

Get back on the horse applies to every area of life.

We may:

  • Lose a job
  • Fail a test
  • Suffer from illness
  • Grieve lost friendships
  • Endure persecution

In every circumstance, we decide whether to shake it off  or tie ourselves in knots with worry. If we don’t know how to get back on the horse, we can always rely on God for direction.

 “Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1 NIV).

Thanks to Joe and Ann Klotz for the suggestion.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Get It Off My Chest

Get It Off My Chest

Comments 6 comments

Get It Off My Chest--Man bench pressing weights with woman coaching him

Sometimes a weightlifter tries to bench press too much. When that happens, the lifter may think or say, “Get it off my chest.”

We may not be weightlifters. However, we do occasionally need to get things off our chest.

To get it off my chest means to say something we have wanted to say a long time.

We may:

  • Confess a wrong.
  • Complain about or criticize an injustice.
  • Reveal hidden information.
  • Discuss a problem that worries us.

To get it off my chest usually results in relief.

We feel better when we let go of that excess baggage. The burden of emotional discomfort from pent-up feelings lifts.

When burdens weigh us down, seek support.

Life is too difficult to deal with on our own. Request help from:

  • Friends
  • Family
  • Support groups
  • Pastors
  • Counselors

Everyone can use extra encouragement. We never have to bear our cross alone.

Our greatest help comes from God. When we give all our lives—burdens, sins, hurts—to God, we gain a fresh start and the reassurance of God’s never-failing presence.

Thanks to Katherine Pasour for the suggestion. Photo by Michael DeMoya on Unsplash.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Pep Talk

Pep Talk

Comments 8 comments

Pep Talk--CheerleaderWe encourage with our actions. We also encourage when we listen. One of our greatest methods of encouragement is with our words. A pep talk works wonders.

When we land down in the dumps, we need a good pick-me-up.

A pep talk encourages or builds confidence.

We see this during sports events. Coaches gather their teams around them and rouse them to:

  • Get back in the game.
  • Do their best.
  • Never give up.
  • Win, win, win!

Cheerleaders lead fans to cheer their teams to victory. Schools or teams hold pep rallies to prepare for big games.

Pep talks occur in more than sports.

  • Parents encourage children.
  • Teachers inspire students.
  • Friends support one another.
  • Churches nurture members and the world around them.

Everyone needs encouragement.

Hard times come. That’s life. We can’t encourage everyone. That’s reality. Yet, we can urge those around us to keep on keeping on. That’s hope.

“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV).

Thanks to Joyce Cordell for the suggestion and to Parker Davis for the photo.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Cold Feet

Cold Feet

Comments 5 comments

Cold Feet: Six uncovered feet at the foot of a bedMany of us live with cold feet. We don’t need winter, snow, or freezing rain. Our feet stay cold any time of year in any kind of weather.

However, cold feet means more than the temperature of our toes.

Cold feet freeze our plans or desires.

Cold feet refers to fear of doing something.

We lose our nerve. We get:

  • Discouraged
  • Shy
  • Anxious

Enthusiasm disappears. Cowardice replaces confidence. We wring our hands, afraid to do what we want to do.

A little fear can be a good thing.

It helps us:

  • Focus
  • Try harder
  • Avoid mistakes

Yet, cold feet paralyze us. They stop us in our tracks.

Faith overcomes fear.

Like socks or blankets warm our feet, faith covers us with courage.

We find support for our faith in:

  • The Bible and prayer for God’s strength (a perfect plan for every day)
  • Practice of what scares us (get our feet wet)
  • Encouragement from others (give it as well as receive it)

We choose. Will we freeze in fear or step forward in faith wherever God leads?

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

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

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.