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Play by Ear

Play by Ear

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Play by Ear--hands on piano keysMy sister received most of our family’s piano ability. She plays by reading music, plus she can play by ear. If she hears a song, she eventually figures out how to play it.

To play music by ear means to play without looking at printed music.

I have a hard time playing with or without the written score.

Play by ear also means to act without specific plans or rules.

We decide what to do as we go. Rather than worry about details, we

  • Remain flexible.
  • Adapt to the circumstances.
  • Take one step at a time.
  • Deal with events as they arise.

We fly by the seat of our pants.

Some of us do well playing by ear. Others desire more organization.

We want to know:

  • What are we to do?
  • When are we to do it?
  • How do we do it?
  • Who will help us?
  • What happens every step of the way?

Whether we prefer to plan or not, we can make beautiful music with our lives.

Every day offers opportunities to:

  • Do our best.
  • Encourage one another.
  • Worship God.

“I will sing and make music to the Lord” (Psalm 27:6 NIV).

Thanks to Cindy Shoemaker for the suggestion and to Gail Gosser for the photo.

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Well Begun Is Half Done

Well Begun Is Half Done

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Well Begun Is Half Done--Snake River float trip with Grand Tetons in backgroundMy husband and I love to travel. For years, we hopped in our car as often as possible to explore our country. However, we usually spent weeks planning the trip. We learned that well begun is half done.

We decided in advance:

  • How far we wanted to travel
  • What sights we wanted to see
  • How much time we had

We also allowed for short unplanned side trips off the beaten path.

Well begun is half done means if we begin well, we are more likely to end well.

Work begun well usually means:

  • Less work to complete
  • Increased chance for success

This holds true whether we want to:

  • Build a house
  • Write a book
  • Sell a product

If we have no idea what we need to do, we get nowhere.

We spin our wheels and accomplish nothing.

Well begun is half done also relates to our spiritual lives.

For the best life, we make the best plans. Will we focus on ourselves for our brief time on earth? Or will we choose a personal, eternal relationship with Jesus? If we follow Jesus, we receive:

  • Joy for our present journey in both good and bad times
  • Hope for a home in heaven

At the end of life’s road, nothing matters more.

 “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19 NIV).

Thanks to Joy S. Taylor for the suggestion.

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A Day Late and a Dollar Short

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

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A Day Late and a Dollar Short--several dollar bills spread outAs a child, I often heard people say they were a day late and a dollar short. They usually meant they did not have enough money to buy something or pay a bill.

However, I learned the expression has a greater meaning.

A day late and a dollar short means to be unprepared and too late.

That can be money for purchases or bills, as I thought. It can also mean not enough effort in:

  • Relationships
  • Work
  • Personal goals

In each one, people fail to get the ball rolling. They dillydally when they need to get to work.

Lack of effort and failure to be on time benefit no one.

Everyone loses.

  • Family members who ignore one another threaten their relationships
  • Lazy workers hurt their employers and risk losing their jobs.
  • Anyone who invests little time or effort fails to achieve their best.

Prepare. Work well. Use time wisely.

A good plan for now and eternity, don’t you agree?

“Jesus replied, ‘My light will shine out for you just a little while longer. Walk in it while you can, and go where you want to go before the darkness falls, for then it will be too late for you to find your way’” (John 12:35 TLB).

Thanks to Emily Akin for the suggestion.

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Congratulations to Betty Johnson whose name was randomly drawn from my mailing list for a free copy of Tracy Crump’s book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness.

Fixing to

Fixing to

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Fixing to-Lake Cumberland viewMy mother, sister, cousin, and I were fixing to eat when I took this picture. We planned to enjoy both our food and this great view of Lake Cumberland.

When we are fixing to do something, we are getting ready to do it.

In the southern United States, we often say fixin’ to. However we say it, we mean we are:

  • About to begin
  • Preparing
  • Starting

We plan to do something. For example, we are fixing to:

  • Cook dinner
  • Start a new semester
  • Go shopping

Sometimes people rush us.

We have not tackled a job as soon as they think we should. They want us to get the ball rolling. When that happens, we might say, “Don’t rush me. I’m fixing to do it.” That often happens with:

  • Children doing their schoolwork
  • Teens cleaning their room
  • Husbands or wives working around the house

Are we fixing to do what matters most?

Will what we are fixing to do:

  • Make life better?
  • Help anyone?
  • Have lasting value?

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12:40 NIV).

Thanks to Carol York Patterson Brangers for the idea.

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Cross a Bridge When We Come to It

Cross a Bridge When We Come to It

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Cross a Bridge When We Come to It-covered bridge Everyone knows we cross a bridge when we come to it.

  • Not before we come to it.
  • Not after we come to it.

We cross only when we come to it.

We understand that about physical bridges. We often forget that truth in our personal lives.

We cross a bridge when we come to it by dealing with life as it happens.

We don’t worry about something before it happens.

  • If it never happens, we worried for nothing.
  • If it does happen, worry did not stop it.

 Instead, we handle each moment as it comes. We plan and prepare, but we don’t worry. We don’t borrow trouble or tie ourselves in knots.

Cross a Bridge When We Come to It-church framed by bridgePrayer prepares us to cross a bridge when we come to it.

Rather than becoming a worry wart, we ask God to lead us. The Goddard Covered Bridge in Fleming County, Kentucky, shows that well. When we look beside the bridge or through it, we see a small country church. That church, like so many others, reminds us to trust God.

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27 NIV)

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On Your Toes

On Your Toes

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On Your Toes--ballerinaWhen you are on your toes, you are ready to act.

  • Like a dancer ready for a ballet performance
  • Or a runner who toes the mark before a race

 Other people may keep you on your toes.

  • Your boss trains you and reviews your work.
  • A child asks you hard questions.
  • Teachers prepare you for a test.
  • Friends and family offer advice about big decisions.

You may also keep yourself on your toes.

You stay alert to what interests you most.

  • If you enjoy cooking, you check the latest recipes.
  • If you like to read, you find books by your favorite authors.
  • If you want to stay in good physical condition, you exercise.

You plan and prepare for the future.

If you fail to stay on your toes, you may fall flat.

However, you don’t have to stay down when you fall. Instead, pull yourself up by your bootstraps and keep going. Who knows what the future holds?

“Make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves” (Deuteronomy 4:9 MSG).

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