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Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

March 4, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

Do you ever wear your heart on your sleeve? I don’t mean shirts or sweaters with hearts on them. Do you let your emotions show?

When you wear your heart on your sleeve, you openly reveal your emotions.

They become obvious to everyone who sees you. They show in your:

Face
Words
Body Language

Wear your heart on your sleeve applies to every emotion.

Anger makes you blow your top.
Love brightens the world around you.
Concern reaches out to those in need.
Fear makes you tremble.

No one has to wonder how you feel, especially when you are in love.

This expression may originate from a medieval custom.

According to The Phrase Finder, knights wore the name of a woman on their sleeves during tournaments.

The phrase later appeared in Shakespeare’s “Othello.”

Wear your heart on your sleeve with caution.

Openness is not appropriate in every situation. You don’t want to go off the deep end. Use wisdom and kindness in all you do.

Allow God’s love to flow through you regardless of your emotions.

When you let go and let God take control, your heart changes for the better.

“I will praise the Lord with my whole heart” (Psalm 111:1 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett 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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Bumfuzzled

February 26, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

All of us occasionally feel bumfuzzled. No matter what we do, we cannot find the answers we need.

We don’t know which way to turn or where to look for help. Our brains refuse to work. We are up a stump.

Bumfuzzled means confused.

We feel:

Inadequate
Frustrated
Perplexed
Anxious
Bewildered

The answer to our bumfuzzled feelings often lies within our reach.

We may simply need to wait, to let it be. For example:

If we relax, the answer frequently pops into our minds.

This happens for many of us in the middle of the night. I keep paper and pens in a bedside drawer for such moments.

Physical activity also helps.

Increased blood flow improves our brains as well as our bodies.

Our change of focus makes everything fall into place.

Confusion melts away.
Vexation turns to vision.
Purpose and meaning return.

We don’t need to sweat it when we find ourselves overwhelmed and unable to function.

However, we don’t want to stay there.

When we finally find what we need, we make a remarkable discovery. Along with the answers we sought, we also gained persistence and endurance.

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans”. (Romans 8:26)

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Sleep Like a Log

January 22, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 14 comments

I rise early most mornings. However, caregiving, especially getting up several times a night, occasionally wears me down. If I become extremely tired and have few interruptions, I sleep like a log.

Recently, after days of meeting myself coming and going, I slept almost two hours past my usual wakeup. I felt wonderful! A good night’s sleep solves a lot of life’s woes!

To sleep like a log means a deep, restful sleep.

Similar expressions include sleep like a:

Baby
Top
Rock

All mean to sleep:

Well
Soundly
Without waking

To sleep like a log can be dangerous.

Although we want to sleep soundly, we can overdo it. A friend in college slept so well that other people in his dorm had to wake him when his alarm went off. I once slept through a tornado warning. Someone finally realized I was missing and woke me.

Several steps help achieve a good night’s rest.

Go to bed and get up about the same time every day.
Keep the room free of distractions.
Maintain a regular pre-sleep routine.
Eliminate screen time an hour or more before going to bed.

God gave us the gift of sleep. Let’s make the most of it.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8 NIV).

Thanks to Joanne Viola 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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Work Wonders

December 25, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

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.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Neck of the Woods

November 20, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 15 comments

I recently visited a lovely site near our neck of the woods. Natural Arch in the Daniel Boone National Forest has a convenient overlook. I also walked down the hill to the arch. The return up the hill reminded my muscles that hills are harder to hike than level ground!

Neck of the woods means a particular area.

According to The Free Dictionary, “This expression originated in the United States. ‘Neck’ comes from ‘naiack’ which means ‘point’ or ‘corner’ in an Algonquian Native American language.” It refers to a “narrow strip of woodland” or “a forest settlement.”

Although originally a rural description, this idiom now includes urban areas.

I consider our neck of the woods the garden spot of the world. We enjoy the best of country life close to a small town.

My neck of the woods probably looks different from yours.

However, we can enjoy what each area offers.

Just as locations differ, so do people.

We do well when we appreciate all people. We don’t have to:

Look alike
Talk alike
Act alike or
Enjoy the same things

May we all open our eyes to the God-given potential of others, regardless of their neck of the woods.

“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets” (Psalm 50:1 NIV).

Thanks to Jane Ashley Pace 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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Give It a Rest

November 13, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 14 comments

Sometimes we want people to give it a rest. Their constant talk or actions get on our nerves. Of course, we probably get on their nerves from time to time too.

When we tell people to give it a rest, we want them to stop irritating talk or actions.

Their annoying talk may include:

Fussing
Nagging
Begging

Their words sound like a broken record.

Actions may include:

Constant interruptions
Loud videos
Rude behavior

They ruffle our feathers.

To tell others to give it a rest can sound impolite.

It is simply another way to tell them to shut up or stop it.

An alternative is to get away from the irritating people.

Take a walk.
Work outside.
Sit beside a calm stream.

Moments alone remind us that silence is golden. We rest and refresh our minds and bodies.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2 NIV).

Thanks to J.D. Wininger 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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Break a Leg

November 6, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 11 comments

No one wants to break a leg or any other body part. Just ask our worship pastor. He has spent months in pain from a broken foot. His injuries have required surgeries, casts, boots, and a wheelchair. He has also endured a walker, cane, crutches, and numerous therapy sessions.

With that in mind, why do people tell others to break a leg? The expression sounds cruel.

Break a leg means to wish people good luck.

It offers encouragement, especially to performers on opening night. The speaker hopes the actors bring down the house.

Some believe wishing actors good luck causes bad luck. Therefore, they say the opposite of what they mean. The Phrase Finder offers several possible origins for this superstition.

Although they understand the idiom, some people choose not to use it.

Not everyone understands the meaning, so it could result in hurt feelings. However, others use the expression as a fun tradition. If necessary, they explain what they mean.

Prayer offers a better alternative.

Whether a person says to break a leg or not, prayer remains the greatest gift. Prayer does not rely on superstition. It also removes the need for worry. As my friend Marian Woosley often said, “Why worry when we can pray?” True for actors. True for everyone.

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony” (Psalm 6:2 NIV).

Thanks to Candyce Carden for the suggestion and to Katherine Bonds for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Beside Myself

October 23, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

The first time I went on an international mission trip, I was beside myself with joy. The opportunity before me almost took my breath away.

Beside myself refers to extreme emotion.

In addition to awe or joy, I may feel intense:

Shock
Anger
Excitement
Sadness
Worry
Panic

Recent news about some of the areas I served leaves me beside myself with grief. I ache for the difficulties my friends now face.

When I am beside myself, I feel out of control.

Strong emotions overwhelm me. I must work to regain a sense of balance—to get a grip.

This phrase appears in the Bible.

The Apostle Paul had shared the story of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He had also discussed his life since that time. Festus, the Roman governor, responded in a loud voice, “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad” (Acts 26:24 KJV). Paul explained that he was not crazy but was sharing God’s truth.

If anyone says I am beside myself, I can think of no better reason than God’s call to share eternal truth and love.

“They were all amazed at the greatness of God” (Luke 9:43 NIV).

What about you? What makes you beside yourself?

Thanks to Stan Crump for the suggestion.

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Move Heaven and Earth

October 9, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

Have you had people move heaven and earth to help you? They do everything in their power to provide what you need. I have, and I am eternally grateful for their assistance.

In a crisis, I called a friend. She stopped what she was doing and cancelled her plans to come to my aid. Her friendship is the real McCoy.

To move heaven and earth means to do everything possible to make something happen.

We resolve to do all we can to:

Help someone else.
Achieve what we desire.
Accomplish a goal.

In spite of challenges, we reach for the sky. We try to make the impossible possible.

Move heaven and earth implies commitment.

We:

Dedicate ourselves to a purpose.
Give our best effort.
Have no plan to quit.

Such commitment requires hard work.

Ordinary efforts are not enough. We strive for the extraordinary.

The Creator of heaven and earth set the example for us.

God loves us and offers life in heaven when we leave this earth. May we do all in our power to tell others of Jesus’ sacrificial gift to make that possible.

“May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 115:15 NIV).

Thanks to Scott Tice 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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Happy-Go-Lucky

September 18, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 13 comments

Children on swings usually look and sound happy-go-lucky.

However, like those swings, most of us have our ups and downs. Circumstances often dictate whether we feel:

Happy
Sad
Lonely
Mad
Scared

Yet, a few people remain happy-go-lucky regardless of their situations. Little, if anything, gets them down.

Happy-go-lucky means always happy.

Such people’s moods remain cheery and good natured. Life never seems to trouble them. They stay happy as a lark and worry free.

Happy-go-lucky people dwell on the positives.

Although they don’t deny negative experiences, they remain optimistic. They treat problems like water off a duck’s back by shaking off any negative reactions.

We may not always feel happy, but we can always experience joy.

God offers each of us the joy of a relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. For many people in the world, that decision leads to persecution and/or death. In spite of the dangers, they continue to share their joy with others. True joy makes that great a difference.

“In all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” (2 Corinthians 7:4 NIV.)

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion and to Darrin Jenkins for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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