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Up a Creek without a Paddle

Up a Creek without a Paddle

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Up a Creek without a Paddle, kayak, Hongyan Li
Courtesy of Hongyan Li

During my childhood, our family loved to fish and swim. We lived near a creek that was ice cold on the hottest summer day. After hours of working outside, nothing felt better than jumping into that freezing water.

  • It took our breath.
  • We shivered from the shock.
  • Yet, what a wonderful, refreshing way to cool down.

We did most of our fishing from the banks (sides) of the creek. A few friends preferred fishing from boats. Most used motorboats, but some rowed with oars (paddles).

Circumstances sometimes left those boaters up a creek without a paddle.

The creek was narrow in most places. Therefore, they could usually reach the banks, if they dropped a paddle.

However, problems did occur:

  • Wide places left them far from the banks.
  • High water after a hard rain added to their danger.
  • Not all those boaters could swim.
  • Hardly anyone owned a life jacket.

Losing a paddle under those circumstances left boaters in trouble. They were up a creek without a paddle.

Life’s like that.

On most occasions we find solutions to our problems, but not always.

  • Difficult circumstances arise that we can’t fix on our own.
  • We see no way out.

We’re up a creek without a paddle.

How easily we forget that the One with the answers to all life’s hardships remains just a prayer away.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

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I’m All Ears

I’m All Ears

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I'm All EarsThis little rabbit nibbled grass near our back door. He lifted those ears as soon as he heard us behind him. His body went down, but his ears went up! “I’m all ears” he seemed to say. “I hear your every move and sound.”

He stopped:

  • Eating
  • Twitching his nose
  • Hopping
  • Looking around.

We had his full attention.

We can learn a lot from that kind of focus. Don’t you wish people would listen to one another so well? How often do we try to talk to someone, but we don’t give or receive full attention? While one person talks, the other person’s attention strays to:

  • The television
  • A cell phone
  • A computer screen
  • Another person
  • A book
  • Work
  • Anywhere but on the person talking

What does that say to the person trying to be heard?

  • I’m too busy.
  • You’re not important.
  • Leave me alone.
  • Someone or something else matters more than you.
  • I don’t care what you have to say.

Let’s listen to one another—really listen, with our ears, with our eyes, and with our body language. Like our rabbit friend, let’s send the message, “I’m all ears. I want to hear what you have to say.”

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19 NIV).

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On Top of the World

On Top of the World

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On Top of the World--eagle in tree top, Teton MtnsWe love to be on top of the world.

Yet, we don’t have to climb a mountain or fly a plane to get there. Think about:

  • Wedding vows
  • The birth of a child or grandchild
  • The first day of a long-awaited job

All these and more can make us feel on top of the world.

What if we could experience those emotions forever?

We would be exhausted – no good to ourselves or anyone else. We love grand moments. However, we cannot maintain that level of excitement forever.

Real living includes level ground.

  • Washing dishes
  • Changing diapers
  • Difficult days at work

Level ground keeps our families and our world functioning as they should.

Real living also includes valleys.

  • Relationship difficulties
  • Death
  • Financial crises

Valleys may not be fun. Yet, through them we grow stronger.

From the valleys, we look up.

For many, that is where we find our strength. Through the power of God’s love, we can stay on top of the world, regardless of our circumstances.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:1-3 NIV).

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Sharp as a Tack

Sharp as a Tack

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Sharp as a Tack -- a tackA few fortunate people are sharp as a tack.

They see, hear, or read information and understand it instantly. Because they are smarter than most, they have what it takes to do well in life.

Deciding what to do with this wonderful gift, however, makes all the difference.

  1. Some choose to help others.
  2. Some help only themselves.
  3. A few take advantage of people not so sharp.

Individuals in the last two groups prove that smart does not mean wise. They never become all they could be.

When not used properly, the point of a tack becomes dull.

When people fail to develop their potential, they lose their sharpness as well. Mental laziness leads to mental dullness.

Tacks grow crooked if not driven in the right direction.

They may then do more harm than good. The same is true of people’s minds. If people focus only on themselves or hurts others, they rob everyone of a life well lived.

What a waste when people throw away the potential God gave them.

Far better when they grow into all they can be – when they stay sharp as a tack.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17 NIV).

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Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

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Penny Wise and Pound Foolish--a peeny, a pence, and a pound
A Penny, a Pence, and a Pound

Penny wise and pound foolish describes people who spend carefully on small items but waste money on larger expenses.

A person needs several US pennies (or British pence) to equal one British pound.

Several years ago, someone showed me all her bargains from a clearance sale. She proudly told me each item’s price. Near the end, she began saying, “I don’t know what this is, but it cost only …” Most amounts were less than a dollar. However, her total cost was large.

I remember wondering, Just what will she do with all these mystery objects? They’re not bargains if she has no use for them.

She was penny wise and pound foolish.

People might be penny wise and pound foolish if they:

  • Attempt their own home repairs but require an expert to repair their repairs.
  • Clip grocery coupons and then eat at an outrageously expensive restaurant.
  • Drive several miles to save a few cents per gallon on gasoline.
  • Neglect regular medical care that results in permanent disability.
  • Buy sale items on credit but pay the minimum on their credit card bill.

Don’t we often do the same with our life decisions?

We make the easy choices or do what looks good at the moment. Yet we fail to consider the long-term consequences.

Easy or cheap does not equal good or wise.

Let’s make smart choices in all our investments—financial, educational, occupational, social, emotional, and spiritual.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise” Ephesians 5:15 (NIV).

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For Good Measure

For Good Measure

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For Good Measure--grocery scales above fruitMany of us prefer shopping at neighborhood stores and farmers markets. The product quality is only a small part of what makes them special. These merchants usually add extra to our purchase for good measure.

For good measure means more than a fair amount.

Such merchants believe giving extra is the right thing to do.If they lose a little money, that’s okay with them.

  • They value every customer.
  • We always receive fair treatment.

We like to buy from people we trust.

Even if their prices are higher than other stores, we still go there. They are our friends and neighbors. We go to the same activities and attend the same schools and churches.

However, they also give strangers more than necessary for good measure. Such kindness makes a difference in many lives.

Why not follow their example?

Let’s give more for good measure – more

  • Smiles
  • Encouragement
  • Financial help
  • Time
  • Attention to what matters most in life

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38 NIV)

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Over the Hill

Over the Hill

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Over the Hill“You’re not over the hill yet, but my mom just went over the hill.” Those words came from an elementary-age girl whose mother had just celebrated her 35th birthday. The mother laughed. She remembered thinking the same thing about her mother at that age.

Young people often believe middle-age and older adults are over the hill.

They think they have reached their peak in life. In their opinion, anyone 35 or older:

  • Is out of touch with the latest fads, language, and styles
  • Stops having fun
  • Sets no more worthwhile goals
  • Loses their spirit of adventure

Wrong! The fun just begins, if we relax and enjoy the journey.

  • The need to impress, to fit in with the cool crowd, and to prove ourselves diminishes.
  • We learn to enjoy the moment for what it is, not what we wish.
  • That freedom exhilarates, and the future looks promising.

As Robert Browning said:

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith ‘A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!’”

“I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (Psalm 104:33 NIV).

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A Little Bird Told Me

A Little Bird Told Me

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A Little Bird Told MeWhen people don’t want to reveal their source of information, they may say, “A little bird told me.”

Sometimes they share positive news that gives the listener joy. At other times, their negative words cause great pain.

The information source may never be known. Yet, with modern technology, the origin can usually be found. We hear and read daily of politicians, entertainers, and even working class people who get embarrassed by what they have said or done. They didn’t think anyone heard or saw them. They were wrong.

If we don’t want our words repeated, we’d better not say them.

If we don’t want our actions shown, we’d better not do them. Who knows what little bird may be listening or watching, waiting to reveal what we say and do.

“Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.” (Ecclesiastes 10:20 NIV).

Thanks to all who suggested this and other expressions. Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Make Hay While the Sun Shines

Make Hay While the Sun Shines

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Make Hay While the Sun Shines 1-tractor and hay cutter in fieldA farmer has to make hay while the sun shines.

His work depends on the weather.

  • If rain delays cutting the hay, it may be tough and have little food value.
  • Rainfall after hay is cut, but before it’s raked and baled, requires extra work to remove the moisture.
  • If the rain lasts too long, an entire crop could be lost.
  • Without hay for their livestock, farmers have to buy feed or sell their animals.

Make Hay While the Sun Shines-hay balesHow does make hay while the sun shines apply to non-farmers?

We can spend days or years planning what we want to do. However, we have only one certain way to achieve our goals: If the circumstances are right, act now.

Several clichés explain this particular farming expression:

  • Make the most of your opportunities.
  • We have no guarantee of tomorrow.
  • There’s no time like the present.

Let’s act while we have the opportunity.

Let’s make hay while the sun shines! If we wait, we may lose our chance forever.

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work (John 9:4 NIV).

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Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

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Don't Count Your Chickens Before They HatchPeople who raise chickens understand exactly what this means. They know you don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Too many disasters can occur to those fragile eggs.

  • Animals may eat them.
  • Children may use them to play ball.
  • Someone may accidentally sit or step on them.

Likewise, we have no guarantee our plans will work.

Not with:

  • Family
  • Work
  • Recreation
  • School
  • The next hour

We can:

  • Plan
  • Organize
  • Prepare for possible problems.

In spite of that, our plans may fail.

So, do we give up? Do we stop trying? Definitely not!

We continue to plan, organize, and prepare for problems. With hard work, our plans often succeed.

But we also remain flexible.

We face the fact that we can’t control everything. We remember that sometimes our best-laid plans fail.

Above all, we remember that when we can’t count on anyone or anything else, we can always count on God. God never fails.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for suggesting this expression.

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