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Cool as a Cucumber

Cool as a Cucumber

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Cool as a Cucumber--sliced cucumberSome people stay cool as a cucumber.

Whether good times or bad, they remain calm.

Cucumbers are mostly water, which keeps them cool. A slice of cucumber in a glass of water provides cool refreshment on a hot summer day.

However, cool as a cucumber does not refer to a cool temperature. It means people who rarely get upset.

  • Plans don’t go their way. They make other plans.
  • People mistreat them. They still treat those people well.
  • Losses occur. They give thanks for what they had.

They live an easy-does-it life and look for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Few things get them down.

When they do get down, they soon rise again and keep going. They know that nothing in this life lasts forever. Therefore, they make the most of the moments they have.

Cool as a cucumber people spread peace.

By staying calm and peaceful, they help people around them stay calm and peaceful.

Peace that never fails can be found when anyone lets go and lets God.

“[God’s] peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 TLB).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

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To Die For

To Die For

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My sister-in-law recently described a pie to die for. She told how it:

  • Looks
  • Tastes
  • Makes her feel

Anything to die for seems very important.

 People want it because it:

  • Looks wonderful
  • Makes them happy
  • Has great value

Most people will not actually die for a piece of pie (or other food).

However, they will pay a high price for it. They want it that much.

Besides food, items to die for might include:

  • Clothing
  • Jewelry
  • Cars
  • Houses
  • Trips

None of those is worth people giving their lives.

However, many people will die for what they believe.

A few who go beyond the call of duty include:

  • Veterans
  • Missionaries
  • Police officers and firefighters
  • Others who protect family and friends

God loved the world enough to send Jesus to die for it.

Jesus died so anyone who follows him can have eternal life.

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV).

 Thanks to Melissa Scott Taylor for the suggestion and to Winona Smith for the photo of one of her wonderful pies.

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In the Books

In the Books

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In the Books--children's libraryWhen we want to check if something happened, we look in the books.

Anything in the books is a matter of record.

It is:

  • Completed
  • Finished
  • History

For example:

  • A new year begins. The old year is in the books.
  • Lawmakers pass a law. The law goes in the books.
  • A person retires. Her job is in the books.
  • Someone dies. His life goes in the books.
  • People turn over a new leaf. They put their old habits in the books.

Not everything in the books is correct.

Mistakes happen. Just because we see something in writing does not make it right. Therefore, we want to check for truth.

However, we can always trust one book.

The Bible shares God’s truth with the world. We want to go by the book with that book. Therefore,

  • Open it.
  • Read it.
  • Live it.

God remains ready to give us a fresh start anytime, anywhere. If we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, our future is secure. Our salvation is complete or in the books.

“I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12 NIV).

Thanks to Sue Davis Potts for the suggestion.

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Third Time’s a Charm

Third Time’s a Charm

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Third Time's a Charm--4-lead clovers in tic-tac-toe rowI have heard third time’s a charm all my life. Like many older expressions, I could not find its origin.

Third time’s a charm means the third time will probably be successful.

Some people say third time’s a charm for good luck. They believe the expression is true. Others hope it is true.

I don’t believe in luck. However, I do believe in hard work and not giving up. Therefore, the more I try, the greater my chances of success.

Rather than third time’s a charm, I prefer try, try again.

If one effort does not work, I go back to the drawing board until I figure out what to do. I must:

Although I don’t believe in luck, I do enjoy looking for four-leaf clovers that are considered good luck. I also enjoy jokes about the luck of the Irish.

Third Time's a Charm--Happy St. Patrick's DayAbove all, I depend on guidance from my never-failing God.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

“The Lord bless and keep you” (Numbers 6:24 NIV).

Thanks to Walter Maude for the suggestion. Photos courtesy of Pixabay.

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At the End of the Day

At the End of the Day

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At the End of the Day--sunset over treesAt the end of the day means our final conclusion.

We have considered everything. We have:

  • Discussed
  • Analyzed
  • Experimented
  • Then made our decision

At the end of the day, we choose.

  • Who will share my life?
  • What will I do?
  • Where will I live?
  • When will I do what needs to be done?
  • How will I treat others?

We make our at the end of the day decisions any time of day.

  • Morning
  • Midday
  • Evening
  • Night

The time matters little, but, at some point, we must decide. We cannot ride the fence forever.

Our at the end of the day decisions show what we value most.

Will we choose:

  • Money
  • Status
  • Power
  • Popularity

Or will we choose:

  • A relationship with God
  • Time with family
  • Making our world a better place

As the song “When It’s All Been Said and Done” reminds us, only what’s done for love lasts.

“Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion.

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Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

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Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side--pony eating through fenceThe grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Or so it seems.

That applies to both animals and people. Cows or horses stick their heads through fences to eat grass on the other side. People often try to reach the other side as well.

Many of us believe other people live a better life.

Therefore, we want what we don’t have:

  • Bigger homes
  • Nicer cars
  • Cooler clothes
  • Better-paying jobs
  • More travel
  • Well-behaved children

Life seems perfect for others, while we struggle from day to day. As a result, we get down in the mouth.

The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Most people have problems. No one may see those problems, but they are there. Their problems may differ from ours, but that does not make them any easier.

Happiness comes from within.

We never find happiness by:

  • Comparing our lives with others
  • Getting more than everyone else
  • Eating high on the hog

We find true happiness by:

  • Following God’s plan
  • Learning to be content in good times and bad
  • Valuing people more than things
  • Sharing what we have with those in need

Don’t believe the grass is always greener on the other side. It may be occasionally. Usually it is not.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV).

Thanks to Shirley Redding Rice for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

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Nip It in the Bud

Nip It in the Bud

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Nip It in the Bud--plant with flowers and buds“Nip it in the bud. Just nip it in the bud.” Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show said that over and over. We laughed at Barney’s many messes. However, he did get a few things right.

We often need to nip it in the bud.

 We want to:

  • Stop something at an early stage
  • Prevent a problem before it happens
  • End a problem before it gets bigger

Taking action now may prevent regret later. Better safe than sorry.

If we don’t want a flower to bloom, we nip it in the bud.

We cut or break off the bud before it blooms. Sometimes, cold weather nips a flower in the bud.

Like flowers, some situations need nipping. To prevent problems or danger:

  • Parents punish their children’s bad behaviors.
  • Bosses fire lazy workers.
  • We quit bad habits.

Whether we nip buds or let them bloom, we can trust the Creator of them all. 

Also, with God’s help, we can always bloom where we’re planted.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV).

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Watershed Moment

Watershed Moment

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Watershed Moment: Pacific Ocean, Hwy 101The first time I saw the ocean was a watershed moment.

I realized:

  • I love to travel (especially to places off the beaten path).
  • God created an amazing world.
  • The world has more to see than I can imagine.

A watershed moment is a turning point.

It involves a:

  • Time of discovery
  • Moment of change
  • Dividing point

This expression comes from geography. According to Merriam-Webster, a watershed is “a ridge of land separating rivers and streams flowing in one direction from those flowing in the opposite direction.” It may also include the area where the divided water flows.

Watershed moments in history include:

  • Discovery of electricity
  • Invention of the telephone
  • Beginning of space travel
  • Travel by automobile

The greatest watershed moment occurred when God came to earth as a man.

Jesus did no wrong. Yet, He paid the price for our wrongs. He:

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15 NIV).

What was a watershed moment for you? Please comment below.

Thanks to Timothy Lewis for the suggestion.

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Up a Stump

Up a Stump

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Up a Stump--stump I always thought up a stump meant the same as stumped. My friend Patty Cooper Emerson explained a difference in the two.

Stumped means confused or puzzled.

We cut a few trees in our back year. I was stumped about what to do with the stumps. Should I:

  • Dig them up
  • Burn them
  • Leave them alone

Up a Stump--honeysuckle-covered stumpWith one stump, I let nature take control. Honeysuckle grew near it. I allowed the honeysuckle to keep growing. Now, it covers the stump and blooms all summer. Problem solved.

No longer stumped, I have a pretty stump.

Up a stump means a situation too big to manage.

I cannot solve the problem. I:

  • Have no choice
  • Must live with it

Patty gave the example of a young man who arrives 30 minutes late to work every day. If he is my sister’s son, I might feel up a stump – like I can do nothing.

What makes me feel up a stump may not make you feel that way.  

  • You may be comfortable firing your sister’s son.
  • I may feel comfortable with a problem you cannot manage.

Nothing leaves God up a stump. Rather than tying myself in knots or becoming a worry wart, I can take all my problems to God. So can you.

“A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree” (Proverbs 11:28 MSG).

If you use up a stump and stumped, do you mean the same? Please comment below.

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You Can’t Squeeze Blood from a Turnip

You Can’t Squeeze Blood from a Turnip

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You Can't Squeeze Blood from a Turnip--basket of turnipsYou can’t squeeze blood from a turnip means something is extremely hard to do.

You may also hear:

  • It is like getting blood from a turnip.
  • You can’t draw blood from a turnip.
  • It is like getting blood from a stone.

All usually deal with efforts to get money or information from someone.

 The person:

  • Has what we need but will not share or help
  • Or has little or no money or information

Often a person has a bill but no way to pay it.

A few businesspeople understand. Others do not.

During my social work years, a doctor cared for a couple and their children. One day we discussed their many needs. The doctor said, “You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip.” He knew the family was poor as a church mouse. They would probably never be able to pay his bill.

However, the doctor continued to treat the family. He also gave them the same respect he gave everyone else. The family paid him $1 every month. He admired their effort to pay what they could.

You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. You can treat everyone with respect.

 Count your blessings. Then share those blessings with others.

“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31 NIV).

Thanks to Rhonda Wade Royster for the suggestion.

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