<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>make a difference Archives - Diana Derringer</title> <atom:link href="https://dianaderringer.com/tag/make-a-difference/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://dianaderringer.com/tag/make-a-difference/</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 19 May 2022 22:03:14 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <image> <url>https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-derringer_headshotsm-32x32.png</url> <title>make a difference Archives - Diana Derringer</title> <link>https://dianaderringer.com/tag/make-a-difference/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Hands Are Tied</title> <link>https://dianaderringer.com/hands-are-tied/</link> <comments>https://dianaderringer.com/hands-are-tied/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Diana Derringer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 07 Dec 2021 00:00:39 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Problems]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Self-Improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wisdom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[busy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[devotion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diana Derringer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[difficulties]]></category> <category><![CDATA[don't give up]]></category> <category><![CDATA[excuses]]></category> <category><![CDATA[God]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hands are tied]]></category> <category><![CDATA[honesty]]></category> <category><![CDATA[idioms]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life Lessons from English Expressions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[make a difference]]></category> <category><![CDATA[possibilities]]></category> <category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[problems]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The impossible becomes possible with God.]]></category> <category><![CDATA[too busy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[truth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[unable to act]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Words Wit and Wisdom]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://dianaderringer.com/?p=9037</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Most of us experience times we want to do something but can’t. Our hands are tied. Reasons include: We are too busy. Our boss does not allow it. We lack necessary resources. The law or other rules prevent it. If our hands are tied, we are not free to act. Like a prisoner, circumstances limit us. Although we want to make a change or help someone, we can’t. Occasionally we say our hands are tied as an excuse. We don’t...</p> <p class="read-more"><a class="btn btn-default" href="https://dianaderringer.com/hands-are-tied/"> Read More<span class="screen-reader-text"> Read More</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/hands-are-tied/">Hands Are Tied</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dianaderringer.com">Diana Derringer</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hands-Are-Tied.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full wp-image-9038" src="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hands-Are-Tied.jpg" alt="Hands Are Tied--rope tied around wrists" width="450" height="337" srcset="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hands-Are-Tied.jpg 450w, https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hands-Are-Tied-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hands-Are-Tied-361x270.jpg 361w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" /></a>Most of us experience times we want to do something but can’t. Our hands are tied. Reasons include:</p> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li>We are too busy.</li> <li>Our boss does not allow it.</li> <li>We lack necessary resources.</li> <li>The law or other rules prevent it.</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>If our hands are tied, we are not free to act.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">Like a prisoner, circumstances limit us. Although we want to make a change or help someone, we can’t.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Occasionally we say our hands are tied as an excuse. </strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">We don’t want to do something. Yet, we say, “I can’t” rather than “I don’t want to.” Most people recognize such dishonesty immediately, or they learn about it later. Better to stay <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/as-good-as-their-word/">as good as our word</a> and speak only the truth.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Many times, we give up too soon.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">We try on our own and <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/fall-flat/">fall flat</a>. If we pray, God may open new possibilities. The impossible becomes possible with God.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Make a difference when we can. Seek help when we can’t.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;"> Everyone can make a positive difference. Rarely are our hands tied.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">With God’s help and the help of other people, we can make our world a better place.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” Hebrews 4:16 NIV).</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Thanks to Patty Cooper Emerson for the suggestion.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/xP7HL">Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email</a> and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”</p> <p style="text-align: left;">If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.</p> <p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fhands-are-tied%2F&linkname=Hands%20Are%20Tied" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fhands-are-tied%2F&linkname=Hands%20Are%20Tied" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_pinterest" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/pinterest?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fhands-are-tied%2F&linkname=Hands%20Are%20Tied" title="Pinterest" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fhands-are-tied%2F&linkname=Hands%20Are%20Tied" title="LinkedIn" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fhands-are-tied%2F&linkname=Hands%20Are%20Tied" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fhands-are-tied%2F&title=Hands%20Are%20Tied" data-a2a-url="https://dianaderringer.com/hands-are-tied/" data-a2a-title="Hands Are Tied"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/hands-are-tied/">Hands Are Tied</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dianaderringer.com">Diana Derringer</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://dianaderringer.com/hands-are-tied/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Knee High to a Grasshopper</title> <link>https://dianaderringer.com/knee-high-to-a-grasshopper/</link> <comments>https://dianaderringer.com/knee-high-to-a-grasshopper/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Diana Derringer]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 29 May 2017 23:00:27 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Animals/Nature]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Peace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Problems]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Self-Improvement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Southern Expressions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wisdom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[children]]></category> <category><![CDATA[creation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cute]]></category> <category><![CDATA[devotion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Diana Derringer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[fun]]></category> <category><![CDATA[God]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grasshopper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[idioms]]></category> <category><![CDATA[inferior]]></category> <category><![CDATA[knee high to a grasshopper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[learn]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life Lessons from English Expressions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[love]]></category> <category><![CDATA[make a difference]]></category> <category><![CDATA[relationships]]></category> <category><![CDATA[small]]></category> <category><![CDATA[trust]]></category> <category><![CDATA[unimportant]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Words Wit and Wisdom]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://temp.dianaderringer.com/?p=3636</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Many of us love spending time with children who are knee high to a grasshopper. They are: Small Short Still growing So cute We enjoy children’s smallness. Yet, we don’t like to feel small. Most of us have moments we feel knee high to a grasshopper. Because grasshoppers are so small, they appear unimportant. People pay little attention to them. Sometimes we feel unimportant. We think no one pays attention to us either. Other people appear: Smarter Better looking More talented...</p> <p class="read-more"><a class="btn btn-default" href="https://dianaderringer.com/knee-high-to-a-grasshopper/"> Read More<span class="screen-reader-text"> Read More</span></a></p> <p>The post <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/knee-high-to-a-grasshopper/">Knee High to a Grasshopper</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dianaderringer.com">Diana Derringer</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-3637 aligncenter" src="https://temp.dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Knee-High-to-a-Grasshopper.jpg" alt="Knee High to a Grasshopper" width="375" height="500" srcset="https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Knee-High-to-a-Grasshopper.jpg 375w, https://dianaderringer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Knee-High-to-a-Grasshopper-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px" />Many of us love spending time with children who are knee high to a grasshopper. They are:</p> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li>Small</li> <li>Short</li> <li>Still growing</li> <li>So cute</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;">We enjoy children’s smallness. Yet, we don’t like to feel small.</p> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Most of us have moments we feel knee high to a grasshopper.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">Because grasshoppers are so small, they appear unimportant. People pay little attention to them. Sometimes we feel unimportant. <span style="margin: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">We think </span></span>no one pays attention to us either. Other people appear:</p> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li>Smarter</li> <li>Better looking</li> <li>More talented</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;">We feel like <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/low-man-on-the-totem-pole/">low man on the totem pole</a>.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">We also feel small compared to the size of our world. How tiny we look compared to:</p> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li>Mountains</li> <li>Oceans</li> <li>The sky</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;">In addition, we feel small when we have done something wrong. We think we are:</p> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li>Guilty</li> <li>Worthless</li> <li>Hopeless</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Although small, both children and grasshoppers make a big difference.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong>Children teach us to:</p> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li>Have fun</li> <li>Love</li> <li>Trust</li> <li>Learn</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;">Grasshoppers destroy much we need or enjoy:</p> <ul style="text-align: left;"> <li>Gardens</li> <li>Fields</li> <li>Flowers</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Regardless of our size, we all make a difference.</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: left;">Therefore, what kind of difference will we make? Will we spread joy like children? Or will we destroy what we touch like grasshoppers?</p> <p style="text-align: left;">God created our world and everything in it. Compared to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKLQ1td3MbE">God’s greatness</a>, we all appear knee high to a grasshopper. Yet, God desires a personal relationship with each of us. How great is that?</p> <p style="text-align: left;">“When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them?” (Psalm 8:3-4 NET)</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/xP7HL">Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email</a> and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”</p> <p style="text-align: left;">If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Photo courtesy of Pixabay.</p> <p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fknee-high-to-a-grasshopper%2F&linkname=Knee%20High%20to%20a%20Grasshopper" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fknee-high-to-a-grasshopper%2F&linkname=Knee%20High%20to%20a%20Grasshopper" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_pinterest" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/pinterest?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fknee-high-to-a-grasshopper%2F&linkname=Knee%20High%20to%20a%20Grasshopper" title="Pinterest" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fknee-high-to-a-grasshopper%2F&linkname=Knee%20High%20to%20a%20Grasshopper" title="LinkedIn" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fknee-high-to-a-grasshopper%2F&linkname=Knee%20High%20to%20a%20Grasshopper" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fdianaderringer.com%2Fknee-high-to-a-grasshopper%2F&title=Knee%20High%20to%20a%20Grasshopper" data-a2a-url="https://dianaderringer.com/knee-high-to-a-grasshopper/" data-a2a-title="Knee High to a Grasshopper"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://dianaderringer.com/knee-high-to-a-grasshopper/">Knee High to a Grasshopper</a> appeared first on <a href="https://dianaderringer.com">Diana Derringer</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://dianaderringer.com/knee-high-to-a-grasshopper/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>