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At the Drop of a Hat

At the Drop of a Hat

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At the Drop of a Hat--Sun hat hangs from shelf with garden trowel and gloves above itMy grandmother worked in her flowers at the drop of a hat. I wish I had inherited her green thumb.

My talent? I cry at the drop of a hat.

  • Happy times? I cry.
  • Sad times? I cry.
  • Babies and puppies? I cry.
  • Sad books or movies. I cry.

Tears come quickly, and almost anything causes them.

At the drop of a hat means suddenly and with little warning.

Many of us laugh at the drop of a hat. We find humor everywhere. People around us laugh at our laughter. What a hoot!

At the drop of the hat also means without delay.

Mention travel, and we pack our bags to hit the trail. We want to leave immediately, if not sooner.

This expression probably originated with dropping a hat as a signal.

According to The Free Dictionary, a dropped hat signaled “the start of a race or other contest” in the late 1800s.

A few people help others at the drop of a hat.

If they have it, they share it.

  • Time
  • Abilities
  • Money
  • Possessions

Without hesitation, they practice “What’s mine is yours.”

We read such a story in the Bible (Luke 10:25-37). Often called the parable of the good Samaritan, one man helped another who had been robbed and beaten. The Samaritan ignored differences in background and culture. He simply saw a need and met it.

Referring to the good Samaritan, Jesus said, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37 NIV).

Thanks to Ginny Merritt 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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Set Your Face Like Flint

Set Your Face Like Flint

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Set Your Face Like Flint--water lapping against rocksDo you occasionally face tasks that seem impossible? Yet, you refuse to quit? Instead, you set your face like flint and finish the job before you?

Flint is a hard, dark rock.

It was often used in earlier times to make tools and start fires. Flint also makes strong stone walls.

To set your face like flint means to be determined.

When you face difficulties, you refuse to give up. Instead, you:

  • Focus on the task before you.
  • Dedicate yourself to its completion.

The prophet Isaiah described the Messiah, Jesus, as having “set my face like flint.”

Isaiah tells of Jesus’ determination to complete the role of a suffering servant. Jesus sacrificed His life on a cross to make eternal life possible for all who accept His gift.

You can follow Jesus’ example.

Life gets hard. Many tasks are tough. However, with God’s help, you can endure. You can keep on keeping on. You can also make a positive difference in an often negative world.

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:7 NIV).

Thanks to Linda Russell for the suggestion. Image by Wesley Rocha from Pixabay

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

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Follow in Someone’s Footsteps

Follow in Someone’s Footsteps

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Follow in Someone's Footsteps 4I wonder if wearing an apron will help me follow in the footsteps of my Granny Beasley.

  • Will it make me a better cook?
  • Will it give me a great sense of humor?
  • Will it give me arms big enough to hug the world?

I rarely saw her without her apron. She used it to:

  • Keep her clothes clean while she cooked or did other work
  • Dry tears from her own or children’s eyes
  • Fan herself during hot weather

She did take it off when people took her picture.

To follow in the footsteps of someone, we:

  • Follow the person’s example.
  • Take that person’s role or job.
  • Look to the person for guidance or an example.
  • Live like that person lived.

Follow in Someone's Footsteps7I doubt that my WorldCrafts apron will make me like Granny. However, it does:

  • Provide great memories
  • Challenge me to follow in the footsteps of Granny Beasley (and the many other positive examples in my life)
  • Encourage me to create good footsteps for others to follow

“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me” (Psalm 119:133 NIV).

Whose footsteps do you follow? Please comment.

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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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Golden Years

Golden Years

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Golden YearsMy parents entered their golden years (retirement) several years ago. Free from work responsibilities, they enjoyed extra time for several interests:

  • Travel
  • Family
  • Gardening
  • A huge orchard
  • Woodworking
  • Church activities

Family and friends always gathered at their home. That continues today. Some people visit for fun. Others desire prayer and spiritual support.

Although their bodies have grown weaker, their faith has remained strong. They understand God has a purpose for them, and they continue to fulfill that purpose.

They are not perfect, but they come as close as anyone I know. By following God, who is love, they can love everyone better:

  • One another
  • Their children
  • Family and friends
  • Acquaintances and strangers

Their strong commitment to faith and family inspires those who know them to:

  • Share love with words and actions.
  • Take time for one another.
  • Work through problems as they arise.
  • Focus on the positives.
  • Help people in need.

What a great example they provide.

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad! Keep enjoying your golden years.

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love” (1 John 4:16 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser for help with the post and Robbie Childress for the photo.

Do you have special family memories? If so, please comment.

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Caught Red-Handed

Caught Red-Handed

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Caught Red-HandedOne of my favorite cartoons features a cute little boy. His mom told him he couldn’t have a cookie. So what did he do? When he thought Mom wasn’t looking, he took a cookie, of course.

What he didn’t know: Mom was watching. He was caught red-handed.

He tried to deny his guilt. But they both knew better. He held in his little hand clear and undeniable evidence.

That doesn’t sound much different from adult behavior, does it?

Every day people get caught red-handed.

 Yet, they:

  •  Blame others.
  • Twist the truth.
  • Try to cover up the facts.
  • Deny the facts.

Everyone knows what happened and who did it. The evidence convicts them. Like someone with blood on his hands after killing a person or animal, they get caught red-handed.

What kind of example does that set for children and youth? How can adults expect young people to do what’s right if they don’t?

It’s time to set the standard for good behavior.

  • Admit guilt when wrong.
  • Apologize for damage done.
  • Correct the problem, if possible.

“I’m sorry.” “Will you forgive me?” Short simple words that need to be used more often.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV).

Thanks to my great-nephew Kaleb for modeling a behavior I’m sure he would never do.

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