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Kick Myself

Kick Myself

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Kick Myself--boy posed to kickI hate to lose anything. When that happens, I could just kick myself.

My dad often quoted the proverbial “a place for everything and everything in its place.” That does make life easier. However, things occasionally get misplaced.

Kick myself means I get upset or angry about something I did or failed to do.

  • I’m frustrated.
  • I scold myself, either aloud or in my mind.
  • I’m disappointed by my actions or inactions.

 It also means to regret my behavior or failure.

Examples include when:

  • I miss an opportunity to help others.
  • My words or actions hurt anyone.
  • I forget an important occasion.

Rather than kick myself, I need to correct what I did.

I want to:

  • Search for what I lost.
  • Take advantage of future opportunities.
  • Use my words and actions to help rather than hurt.
  • Apologize for misdeeds.

No one is perfect.

As long as I am alive and kicking, I will make mistakes.

God offers a better way than to kick myself.

 When I fail to follow God’s perfect way, confession is good for the soul. God extends forgiveness and the opportunity for a fresh start when I come clean.

God offers that same opportunity to you.

“‘I turned away from God, but I was sorry afterwards. I kicked myself for my stupidity. I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in younger days.’ And the Lord replies: Ephraim is still my son, my darling child. I had to punish him, but I still love him. I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.’” (Jeremiah 31:19-20 TLB).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion and to Katherine Bonds for the photo.

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What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander

What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander

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What's Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander--geese in flight from waterIf my sister received a privilege as a child, I thought I had the same right. My little brain believed what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Since my grandmother raised geese, I knew a gander was a male goose. However, I also knew this expression applied to both males and females.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander relates to fairness.

If my sister enjoyed a treat, I wanted one too. That included such favors as:

  • No chores
  • Late curfews
  • New clothes or books

If anything is okay for one person, it should be for another.

I wanted equal treatment, and so did my sister.

Regardless of backgrounds or circumstances, most people want to be treated with:

  • Respect
  • Dignity
  • Worth

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander keeps everyone off a high horse.

If my sister and I acted too high and mighty, we knew our goose was cooked. We ended up in trouble.

God created all people in His image.

To follow God means to treat one another with the same love, forgiveness, and justice God gives.

“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Leviticus 19:15 NIV).

Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion. Image by Ted Erski from Pixabay.

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Bury the Hatchet

Bury the Hatchet

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Bury the Hatchet--a hatchet surrounded by pieces of woodHow I wish our world would learn to bury the hatchet. Divisions occur everywhere.

People have always disagreed, and that’s okay. However, why not learn to disagree agreeably? Instead, we:

  • Hate
  • Argue
  • Gossip
  • Fight

We war against one another with words and actions.

This happens among:

  • Family members
  • Friends
  • Neighbors
  • Cities
  • States
  • Countries

Bury the hatchet originated as a Native American tradition.

According to The Phrase Finder, “Hatchets were buried by the chiefs of tribes when they came to a peace agreement.” What a powerful symbol.

We can bury the hatchet too.

When we recognize destructive speech or behavior, we have a choice. We can follow the same pattern, or we can break the cycle.

Peace requires strength.

To choose not to harm another person or group of people calls for courage. If someone hurts us, our natural reaction is to hurt them. We are ready to lock horns. Yet, two wrongs don’t make a right. Suffering continues on both sides.

Jesus taught and lived love and forgiveness for everyone. Although not easy, that remains the only way to true and lasting peace.

“Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace” (Psalm 37:37 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Knowles for the suggestion. Image by Davie Bicker from Pixabay.

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Turn the Tables

Turn the Tables

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Turn the Tables: chess board reflected underneath itI never played much chess. However, I played checkers with my dad and sister for years. When I was losing, I hoped to turn the tables. I wanted to win.

I never physically turned the tables to play from the opposite side. However, I tried to change the outcome of the game.

When we turn the tables, we reverse a situation.

It becomes the opposite of what it was. We see such major changes in:

  • Board games, like chess or checkers
  • Sports events
  • Job positions
  • Any competition

This expression also applies to major changes in plans.

Usually, the change helps the person who had an earlier disadvantage. Roles reverse. The shoe is on the other foot.

How did this expression begin?

According to The Free Dictionary, “Until the mid-18th century, tables was the usual name for the board game backgammon. Early instances of the use of this phrase, dating from the mid-17th century, made it clear that it comes from the practice of turning the board so that a player had to play what had previously been their opponent’s position.”

We find examples of turned tables throughout history.

 The Bible tells the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. Eventually, Joseph achieved an important leadership position. When famine struck, Joseph’s brothers went to him for grain. They did not recognize him. After Joseph identified himself, his brothers feared for their lives.

Yet, Joseph did not act high and mighty when their roles changed. Instead, he forgave his brothers and provided for them.

Like Joseph, we have an opportunity to help others when the tables turn our way.

“‘But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:20-21 NIV).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott and Beckham Wilson for the suggestion. Image by Waldemar Bajda from Pixabay.

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Take the Cake

Take the Cake

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Take the Cake-wedding cakes with strawberries and baby's breathThis expression would probably take the cake in a contest of contradictions.

To take the cake can mean either the best or the worst.

We see examples of the best when a person:

  • Wins a contest and receives the prize
  • Excels in school or work
  • Stands out from everyone else

We might say, “She has created great art before, but this piece takes the cake.”

Examples of the worst include someone who:

  • Acts horrible
  • Mistreats others
  • Appears foolish

We might say, “He has done stupid things before, but that takes the cake.

Take the cake can also mean something unbelievable.

The hard to believe may be important or simply fun. For example, the horse that won the recent Kentucky Derby was the least expected to win.

It may also be horrible or wonderful. In several instances, family members of murdered missionaries continued to serve their loved ones’ killers.

If we want to take the cake, let’s do so in the best way. Make it unbelievably good.

“This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48:17 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Maniscalco and Janna Babak for the suggestion and to Cakes by Camille for the photo.

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Goody Two-shoes

Goody Two-shoes

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Goody Two-shoes--legs and feet of a little girl and boy on a couch with a dog between themWe discover a big difference between a good person and a goody two-shoes. The first wants to live a respectable, moral life. The second acts self-righteous with a holier-than-thou attitude.

A goody two-shoes tries to act better than everyone else.

However, that behavior comes from a self-serving motive. The person, also called a goody-goody, follows laws or rules more from pride or self-interest than beliefs. That often results in getting someone else in trouble.

Goody two-shoes people have existed since ancient times.

Jesus taught the importance of hearts made right with God rather than rituals of righteousness. People can follow the law but still hurt others. If their only concern is themselves, they have missed God’s message of love and forgiveness.

Instead of a focus on self, Jesus taught and lived to:

  • Go beyond laws and customs – to go the second mile.
  • Live humbly.
  • Love and forgive.
  • Help others.

Remain honest – a genuinely good person, not a goody two-shoes.

“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV).

Thank you to Cynthia Shoemaker for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pexels with Pixabay.

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Nail It

Nail It

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Cross in center of paper, nailed to a rough piece of woodDuring the Olympics and other sporting events, athletes want to nail it.

  • Skaters desire a perfect balance of style, strength, and difficulty.
  • Swimmers want to remain in their lanes and reach the wall first.
  • Runners pull out all the stops to cross the finish line before anyone else.

To nail it is to do a job well.

People succeed. They complete accurate work or present an almost perfect performance. They hit the nail on the head.

Jesus nailed our sins to the cross.

Although soldiers hung Him there, Jesus gave His life freely.

Jesus lived a perfect life and died the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His resurrection on the third day was the final nail of victory over sin and death.

We nail our part in God’s perfect plan when we accept Jesus’ offer of salvation.  

We cannot earn our way to heaven. However, Jesus prepared the way for us. He nailed our salvation.

At Easter and always, we celebrate and tell others of the fresh start possible through Jesus’ perfect gift.

“[God] forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion. Image by congerdesign from Pixabay.

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Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

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Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right--two doves above an extended handWhen people wrong us, our natural reaction is to get even. We want to hurt them, to give them a taste of their own medicine. However, two wrongs don’t make a right.

If we keep hurting one another, everyone loses. In a battle of revenge, no one wins. Instead, we cut off our nose to spite our face. We never resolve a conflict with more conflict.

Two wrongs don’t make a right means a second offense does not cancel the first one.

  • Insulting someone who insults us does not erase our pain.
  • Attacking someone who attacked us does not take away the injury.
  • Lying about a person who lied about us only means neither of us can be trusted.

When we harm others, we harm ourselves.

Getting even may release part of our stress. Yet, bad feelings continue. When revenge rises, let’s nip it in the bud. Get rid of it before it gets out of control.

Don’t nurse negative emotions.

Jesus offers a better way.

  • Love
  • Compassion
  • Grace
  • Forgiveness.

Jesus’ life on earth demonstrated the words He taught. As soldiers nailed Him to a cross, Jesus forgave them. He was dying for them.

None of us deserve Jesus’ salvation, but He offers it anyway. Only when we follow His example will be experience inner peace. Problems may continue. Others may cause trouble. Yet, we have peace because we know the Prince of Peace.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44 NIV).

Thanks to Jason Smith for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

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Dollars to Donuts

Dollars to Donuts

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Dollars to Donuts--a collection of various kinds of donutsDollars to donuts (or doughnuts):

  • Prices will rise.
  • Taxes will increase.
  • People will die.

We can predict some events with confidence. We expect them to happen.

If we say dollars to donuts, we express certainty.

No doubts. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Many of us use the expression with no idea it comes from gambling. Whether we bet or not, we say dollars to donuts to voice confidence. To risk money against donuts or anything of little worth would be a safe bet.

We act with certainty on many issues, but hardly anything is definite.

  • Prices occasionally go down.
  • Taxes usually rise, but not always.
  • Jesus rose from the dead and offers eternal life to all who follow Him.

God’s promises never fail.

We can count on God’s offer of:

Those gifts are worth more than all the dollars and donuts in the world.

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5 NIV).

Thanks to Tillie Cowherd for the suggestion. Image by Edward Lich from Pixabay.

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Confession Is Good for the Soul

Confession Is Good for the Soul

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Confession Is Good for the Soul- mother kneels to comfort a crying child“Tell me the truth. You will feel better if you do. Confession is good for the soul.”

How many times have children heard those or similar words? They do something wrong and get caught red-handed. The more they try to hide their wrong, the worse they feel. If they don’t tell the truth, they get in more trouble.

Of course, the same relates to adults. Trying to hide our mistakes or deliberate evil only makes a bad situation worse. We feel guilty. Our guilt makes us sick, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Confession is good for the soul declares great truth.

When we confess, we free ourselves from:

  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Stress

We come clean. This applies whether we commit small or large misdeeds.

Confession is good for the soul pertains to all our relationships.

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Enemies
  • Strangers

The other person may or may not forgive us. We are not responsible for their reaction. However, we are responsible for our own.

We find this truth in the Bible.

The words vary, but the truth remains the same. Its greatest application is in our relationship with God.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion and the photo.

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