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Tag: Life Lessons from English Expressions

In a Jiffy

In a Jiffy

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In a Jiffy-Busy Vancouver, Gas Town street“Stay right there. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” I wonder how many parents have said that to a child. Or how many spouses have said that to one another. They don’t want the person to move. They will return quickly

In a jiffy means in a short amount of time.

 Closely related to immediately, if not sooner, in a jiffy can refer to:

  • The speed of a person’s work (“I will finish this in a jiffy.”)
  • How long a person will be gone (“I will return in a jiffy.”)
  • The promise of good service (“Your waiter will be with you in a jiffy.)
  • No delay of any kind

In today’s world of instant gratification, people expect almost everything in a jiffy.

No one wants to wait. Patience remains in short supply.

However, much in life is better with time.

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables need time to ripen.
  • People need time to learn.
  • Research requires time for accuracy.

In these and other instances, haste makes waste.

Speed is often necessary. However, rather than rush, people usually do well to take one step at a time.

“If we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” (Romans 8:25 NIV).

Thanks to Liz Gray for the suggestion.

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A Hill of Beans

A Hill of Beans

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A Hill of Beans-stick beans in a gardenMy grandmother often said, “That doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.” In other words, it is not worth much.

A hill of beans means something has little value.

It is not important – a dime a dozen.

Beans are fairly common and grow easily. If we don’t grow them, we can find them on most grocery shelves. They cost little. Therefore, a hill of beans is worth little. If we don’t like beans, they are worth nothing.

Several items are not worth a hill of beans:

  • Outdated coupons
  • Broken tools
  • Electronics no one uses

Most things don’t amount to a hill of beans. All people do.

As long as we have what we need to survive, possessions matter little. Plus, we can’t take them with us.

Rather than focus on the things we own, let’s aim to treat others well.

  • Show the respect we desire.
  • Love others as God loves.
  • Encourage everyone to be their best.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion and to Jewell Wade for the photo.

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Nose Runs Like a Sugar Tree

Nose Runs Like a Sugar Tree

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Nose Runs Like a Sugar Tree--maple tree with sap bucketsFor many of us, our nose runs like a sugar tree all year. A related expression says our nose runs like a sieve. However we say it, we feel a little under the weather. Plus, we need tissues all the time for that steady drip.

A runny nose may result from:

  • Colds
  • Allergies
  • Weather changes or smells
  • Swollen sinuses
  • Eating, especially spicy food

Read this Mayo Clinic link for more information and other causes.

My friend Karen had never heard this expression until recently. When she first heard it, she wondered if the person who said it was making it up.

Those of us whose nose runs like a sugar tree wish it were made up. Instead we must blow and wipe … and blow and wipe … and blow and wipe.

However, compared to many other problems in the world, a drippy nose is not so bad. Therefore, we keep tissues on hand and thank God for life’s blessings, great and small.

“The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” Proverbs 18:14 NIV).

Thanks to Brenda Mullins and Karen Richardson Puckett for the suggestion. Photo by diapicard from Pixabay.

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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie--dog curled up in sleepLike several animals (and a few people) dogs can be dangerous when suddenly wakened. Therefore, we usually let sleeping dogs lie. We leave them alone to sleep in peace.

In daily life, we often choose to let sleeping dogs lie.

Instead of causing trouble, we avoid it. We don’t want to make a bad situation worse. If all is well and no one will benefit, why hurt anyone? We leave good enough alone.

Many words or actions only cause problems. Therefore,

Most situations are none of our business. Gossip and interference make us busybodies and do no one any good

However, at times we need to speak or act.

We must take a stand when necessary to:

  • Make a bad situation better
  • Help someone who hurts

Stay out of the doghouse. Unless actions will help, let sleeping dogs lie.

“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel” (Proverbs 20:3 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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Hold Someone’s Feet to the Fire

Hold Someone’s Feet to the Fire

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Hold Someone's Feet to the Fire--fireman holding baby in front of fireLast week we looked at cold feet. This week we explore holding someone’s feet to the fire. I doubt many of us desire either condition.

Holding a person’s feet to the fire was a form of torture years ago. It was also a way to test a person’s courage.

Although we may not use real fire today, we still hold people’s feet to the fire.

When we hold someone’s feet to the fire, we pressure a person to do something.

  • We may want the person to do what he said he would do.
  • We may also try to force a person to do what we want him to do.

Occasionally we need to resist the pressure of others.

We don’t always want to do what they want us to do.

The Bible tells of three young men thrown into a fiery furnace, because they remained faithful to God. God was with them and kept them safe. Yet, they were willing to die for their faith, if necessary.

If we follow God, He remains with us, whatever fiery trials we face.

Like the three young men, we may have to go through the fire, unsure of the outcome. Like fire fighters who risk their lives for others, we may suffer when we serve our hurting world. However, we have the promise of God’s presence, whatever happens.

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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Cold Feet

Cold Feet

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Cold Feet: Six uncovered feet at the foot of a bedMany of us live with cold feet. We don’t need winter, snow, or freezing rain. Our feet stay cold any time of year in any kind of weather.

However, cold feet means more than the temperature of our toes.

Cold feet freeze our plans or desires.

Cold feet refers to fear of doing something.

We lose our nerve. We get:

  • Discouraged
  • Shy
  • Anxious

Enthusiasm disappears. Cowardice replaces confidence. We wring our hands, afraid to do what we want to do.

A little fear can be a good thing.

It helps us:

  • Focus
  • Try harder
  • Avoid mistakes

Yet, cold feet paralyze us. They stop us in our tracks.

Faith overcomes fear.

Like socks or blankets warm our feet, faith covers us with courage.

We find support for our faith in:

  • The Bible and prayer for God’s strength (a perfect plan for every day)
  • Practice of what scares us (get our feet wet)
  • Encouragement from others (give it as well as receive it)

We choose. Will we freeze in fear or step forward in faith wherever God leads?

“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).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

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Up One Side and Down the Other

Up One Side and Down the Other

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Up One Side and Down the Other--Theodore Roosevelt National ParkMany of us enjoy exploring our world up one side and down the other. We want to go everywhere and see everything. We stay ready to hit the trail, whether we go off the beaten path or somewhere well known.

Up one side and down the other means we do something thoroughly.

We go to extremes, such as when we:

  • Travel to as many places as possible.
  • Fuss without mercy when someone upsets us.
  • Look everywhere for items we lose.

We want to be thorough, but we don’t want to waste time.

A few activities are worth extra effort. Others keep us from more important matters.

  • Enjoy travel, but don’t neglect home.
  • Confront problems but deal with them and move on.
  • Keep items where they need to go, so searching up one side and down the other remains unnecessary.

“Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion” (Psalm 103:22 NIV).

Thanks to Glenda Britton for the suggestion.

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Gild the Lily

Gild the Lily

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Gild the Lily--white lily bloomMy friend Pam recently made chocolate chip pancakes. In addition to chocolate chips inside the pancakes, she sprinkled extra on top. Her husband asked why. Pam said, “I guess I’m just gilding the lily.” She was trying to make a good pancake better.

To gild the lily is to try to improve something that is already great.

A lily is a beautiful flower. It needs nothing more.

Likewise, much in life holds great beauty. Yet, people frequently gild the lily by:

  • Covering a beautiful face with too much makeup
  • Adding too much jewelry to a lovely outfit
  • Using fancy words when simple ones work well
  • Living high on the hog rather than down to earth

Too much of anything can make a good thing bad.

Many additions are unnecessary. Some cause damage.

  • A compliment sounds pleasing. Flattery does not.
  • Apologies and forgiveness restore a relationship. Unnecessary apologies may weaken it.

Improve what needs to be improved, but leave excellence alone.

“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Luke 12:27 NIV).

Thanks to Pam Tennant and Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion.

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Elbow Grease

Elbow Grease

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Cleaning takes a lot of elbow grease. A good job requires hard labor that makes us sweat.

Elbow Grease--cleaning toolsWhen we use elbow grease, we work hard.

With house cleaning, we must:

  • Scrub every part of the house
  • Move furniture and other heavy objects
  • Get rid of loose and ground-in dirt

I decided a long time ago that housework is hazardous to our health. Yet, it must be done.

Other jobs that require elbow grease include:

Elbow grease often involves work with our arms.

Constant motion with our elbows, can result in injury. Several years ago, I sealed our deck with a brush. That job resulted in tendonitis that still gives me occasional problems. (It also gives me a good excuse to put off work like washing windows.)

Hard mental work also leaves us exhausted.

Mental work may not require elbow grease. Yet, it often tires us more than physical labor. After a full day of using our brains, a few minutes of physical activity feels good.

Whatever work we do, let’s give it our best. However, let’s not overdo.

God gave us one day a week to rest from our work and to worship.

What a wonderful way to prepare for the week ahead.

“The seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work” (Exodus 20:10 NIV).

How do you use elbow grease? Please comment below.

Thanks to Sue Davis Potts for the suggestion.

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Two Peas in a Pod

Two Peas in a Pod

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Two Peas in a Pod--two men playing banjo and fiddleMy dad and Uncle Millard differed in many ways. However, they were like two peas in a pod in their love for music.

Dad and Uncle Millard did not want to play music professionally. Instead, they played for the joy of playing. They often gathered with other musicians in our kitchen on Friday or Saturday nights for a time of “picking and grinning.”

Two peas in a pod means two items or people are as much alike as two peas in the same pod.

Two Peas in a Pod--peas in and out of a pod with flowersIn addition to shared interests, like Dad and Uncle Millard, two peas in a pod may:

  • Look alike (identical twins, who are the spitting image of one another)
  • Have similar beliefs (people who attend the same church)
  • Act the same (shy people)
  • Share all the above

The similarities of two peas in a pod may change with time.

Several people grow more alike. Others become quite different.

People have no choice with some similarities.

They cannot choose:

  • Birth family
  • Health at birth
  • Many life circumstances

However, they can choose:

  • Friends
  • Education
  • Activities
  • Health care

Those who make poor choices must face the music. Others wisely follow in the footsteps of those who lead them well.

“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26 NIV).

Thanks to Joyce Cordell for the suggestion. Second photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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