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On the Mend

On the Mend

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On the Mend--jeans pocket with scissors, thread, thimble, pin cushion, and measuring tapeSeveral family members recently suffered significant health problems. Most are now on the mend.

On the mend refers to healing.

  • Surgeries are over.
  • Health has improved.
  • They feel better.

Some continue treatments or therapy. Although still in recovery, they look forward to further healing.

Improved health does not equal perfect health.

However, they can enjoy:

  • Mended bones
  • Cured diseases
  • Restored strength and energy

They are alive and kicking (only not too high), and they keep on keeping on.

On the mend describes more than physical healing.

It also means repairs to:

  • Torn clothing
  • Ruined relationships
  • Damaged roads
  • Faulty morals
  • Shattered emotions

Although broken, all can mend.

Jesus offers to mend broken lives.

Just as He called fishermen mending their nets to follow Him, Jesus also calls people today. A positive answer results in:

  • Forgiveness for sins
  • A personal relationship with God
  • Peace, hope, joy, and love regardless of life’s circumstances
  • A perfect, eternal home in heaven

“Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him (Matthew 4:21-22 NKJV).

Thanks to Melissa Bright for the suggestion.

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Burn Boats

Burn Boats

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Burn Boats--a burning ship at nightBurn boats is another expression more common among the British. In America, we usually refer to burning bridges or burning our bridges behind us. The two expressions have the same meaning.

Burn boats (or burn the ships) means to destroy all means of retreat.

 We leave no way to return to our previous situation. According to U.S. Dictionary, this idiom comes from “the story of Hernán Cortés, who, upon arriving in Mexico in 1519, ordered his men to burn their boats, making it clear that there was no turning back.”

When we burn boats in our lives, our commitment forces us to go forward.

We can only move toward the goal or battle before us. As with Cortez and his men, our decision is both brave and risky.

  • It is difficult or impossible to reverse.
  • Yet, we strive harder to achieve our purpose.

The song, “Burn the Ships,” by for King and Country is based on this expression. Learn the reason for their song choice here.

Sometimes we must turn away from our past in order to follow the right road ahead.

Rather than look back, we pursue the good God offers before us.

 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV).

Thanks to Jonna J. LeVan for the suggestion. Photo by Klub Boks on Pexels.

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Hunker Down

Hunker Down

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Hunker Down--Ocean storm with high wavesDuring recent storms, many of us had to hunker down in more than one way. We protected ourselves from the storms’ initial danger. Afterwards, we worked hard to recover from any damage.

The Free Dictionary gives four meanings for hunker down.

  1. “Literally to squat.” We bend our knees to lower ourselves.
  2. “To seek refuge.” We find shelter when dangers arise.
  3. “To work or begin to work … in a determined manner.” We clean up after a disaster or we study hard.
  4. “To stubbornly maintain some belief.” We refuse to compromise, change our mind, or admit when we make a mistake.

Although I have heard this expression used all four ways, I usually think of the second one. Similar to a ship’s crew that battens down the hatches, we prepare for a storm.

Storms occur in all areas of life.

  • Physical—Bad weather, health problems, or accidents
  • Mental—Illness, educational challenges, or overload
  • Emotional—Relationship issues, stress, or uncertainty
  • Spiritual—Persecution, false information, or poor choices

Whatever storm we face, we never have to hunker down alone.

If we turn to God, God remains with us. One of my favorite old gospel songs promises, “No, Never Alone.”

“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).

Which meaning of hunker down have you heard or used?

Thanks to Judy Glen Corbin for the suggestion. Image by Didier from Pixabay.

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At Sixes and Sevens

At Sixes and Sevens

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At Sixes and Sevens--white dice on a black backgroundAfter I posted “At Loggerheads,” I received the following comment. “It’s all sixes and sevens now… That’s a ridley sea turtle, not a loggerhead.” Since I am not a turtle expert, I should have double checked my source. However, I did not.

At sixes and sevens means confused or disorganized.

In addition to turtles, I get confused about:

  • Numbers (Math is not my strength.)
  • Physics (I received a good grade but have little understanding.)
  • Meteorology (Weather forecasts keep me informed.)

At sixes and sevens also means frazzled.

Life gets overwhelming. Daily difficulties leave me bumfuzzled. Bewildered and spread too thin, I find myself going in circles unsure what to do next.

Rest makes a world of difference.

With a clearer mind and restored energy:

  • Life feels less confusing.
  • Organization looks more doable.
  • Tasks fall into place

The Free Dictionary offers two possible origins for this expression.

  1. “A dice game in which rolling a six or a seven was unfavorable.”
  2. “A dispute that arose between two of the guilds or craft organizations in medieval London.” It involved sixth and seventh place in the city’s annual procession.

When confused, turn to the right resource.

Seek God as the ultimate answer for life’s most important questions.

“I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me” (Psalm 120:1 NIV).

Thanks to Jeff Buck for the suggestion. Image by Willi Heidelbach from Pixabay

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Down the Road

Down the Road

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Down the Road--road leading into a greenery-covered tunnelWhen I was a child, several relatives lived down the road from us. My sister and I often walked to their houses to play with our cousins.

We also spent time wondering what God had down the road for our futures. Where would we live? What would we do?

Down the road has two meanings.

  1. On the same road or nearby
  2. In the future

This post will focus on the second meaning.

It pays to plan for what lies down the road.

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” That quote or similar ones have been credited to Benjamin Franklin, Reverend H. K. Williams, and others. Yet, the source remains uncertain. Regardless of who first said it, the truth endures.

We face an uncertain future.

Although we want to plan, life offers no guarantees. Therefore, we prepare for our goals. Yet, we also prepare for life’s unknowns.

God remains with us both now and down the road.

In spite of life’s uncertainties, we can always count on God’s peace and presence. Whether our plans work out or go down the drain, God promises never to leave us alone. All we have to do is follow Him in faith.

 As we travel down life’s road, may we never stray from the straight and narrow.

“Mixed motives twist life into tangles; pure motives take you straight down the road” (Proverbs 21:8 MSG).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion and the photo.

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Hang On to Your Hat

Hang On to Your Hat

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Hang On to Your Hat--woman holding hat on a windy day. Puppy in foreground.Recent storms brought windy weather. As a result, you needed to hang on to your hat. You also needed to hang on to everything else around you.

To hang on to your hat means to prepare yourself.

Something is about to happen, and you want to get ready. Often, the event is unexpected and shocking. It may affect:

  • Individuals
  • Small groups
  • Large numbers of people

A similar expression tells you to hold on to your hat.

Life is full of surprises.

It frequently throws you for a loop with both pleasant and unpleasant changes. Like roller coaster rides, its twists and turns can thrill or terrify. Changes occur in:

  • Relationships
  • Employment
  • Weather
  • Health
  • World events

When life storms or trials occur, you may find it hard to hang on to your faith. 

Change throws you off balance. You struggle to understand. Yet, God uses every experience, good and bad, expected and unexpected, to help you grow.

Hang on to your hat and see where God leads.

Through even the hardest times, you may be pleasantly surprised.

“‘Where is your faith’ he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him’” (Luke 8:25 NIV).

Thanks to Judy Corbin for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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Have Your Cake and Eat It

Have Your Cake and Eat It

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Have your cake and eat it--young woman holding the top layer of a wedding cake.

To have your cake and eat it refers to two things you can’t have or do at the same time.

 A less puzzling earlier version of the expression is to “eat your cake and have it.” You can have cake and then eat it. However, if you eat the cake, you no longer have it.

When my husband and I married, we froze the top layer of our wedding cake until our first anniversary. The first year, we had our cake. At the beginning of the second year, we ate it. We could not enjoy the benefit of keeping and eating our cake at the same time. Each year, we made a choice.

You may want to enjoy both, but you can’t.

For example, you can’t have:

  • Government benefits without tax payments
  • Good grades without study time
  • A new house without a financial investment

You must choose between your desires.

Do you keep your cake, or do you eat it?

All of life requires choices. Seek God’s guidance and choose wisely, since you reap what you sow.

“Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose” (Psalm 25:12 NIV).

Thanks to Lam DeBrot for the suggestion.

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Work Wonders

Work Wonders

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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.

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Bridge the Gap

Bridge the Gap

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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.

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Tight as Bark on a Tree

Tight as Bark on a Tree

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Tight as Bark on a Tree--oak leaf on tree barkWe don’t want to overspend, and we do want to save. Yet, we rarely want to be called tight as bark on a tree.

Tight as bark on a tree means extremely careful with money.

Other descriptions include:

In areas with Blackjack oak trees, we frequently hear “as tight as bark on a blackjack.”

If we are tight spenders, we buy only when absolutely necessary.

Money never burns a hole in our pockets. Instead, we lock our pockets and throw away the key! We make do with what we have in order to save.

Although we should save, we don’t want to go overboard.

Money is a means to an end, not the end itself. We use it to meet our needs and the needs of others both now and in the future.

When tempted to remain tight as bark on a tree, let’s remember:

Definitely save for a rainy day. At the same time, spend money and all of life as God leads today.

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want” (Proverbs 11:24 ESV).

Thanks to Billie Sue Kibbons and Lynn Kibbons Collins for the suggestion they recalled from Granny Rosa Fay Scott who lived near an area known as Black Jack, Missouri. Photo by Marta Wave on Pexels.

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