problems Archives - Diana Derringer

Back to Square One

September 7, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Did you ever play hopscotch? We enjoy hopping through all those squares. However, we don’t enjoy having to go back to square one.

Back to square one means we must start over.

We made a mistake and have to begin again. Not fun in games. Not fun in relationships or work. Yet, no one is perfect. We all fail.

Back to the drawing board is a similar expression.

Back to square one can be a positive.

If we learn from our mistakes, we try not to repeat them. Instead, we take advantage of the opportunity to improve. Works well in games. Works well in relationships or jobs. We rise from the ashes of our mistakes.

A common saying encourages us. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

Jesus offers second chances.

Sometimes our failures are our fault and sometimes not. Either way, Jesus loves us and wants to give us a fresh start. Even when we feel like we can’t win for losing.

Jesus will always lead us in the right way to go. He will “guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion. Image by Abby Haukongo from Pixabay.

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Cut from a Different Cloth

August 31, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

My grandmother taught me to sew. We made most garments from one cloth. However, we cut some from a different cloth.

Literally, cut from a different cloth means garments made from different fabrics.

I made the top of one dress from velvet. The bottom was satin. Although unlike one another, the two cloths worked well together.

Figuratively, cut from a different cloth means people or objects differ.

We may vary in:

Personality
Culture
Interests
Backgrounds

Being cut from a different cloth can cause problems.

If we refuse to accept anyone unlike us, life becomes difficult.

Everyone suffers from:

Inability to get along
Lack of understanding
Poor support

Often, our differences matter little.

We may compromise or change our minds on:

Decorations
Menus
Entertainment

Other times, we must stand firm in our convictions.

We never want to waver on:

Eternal matters
Harmful behavior
Honesty

Whether cut from the same or a different cloth, let’s learn to get along.

Disagree in agreeable ways.
Respect one another.
Listen and learn.

“Show proper respect to everyone” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion.

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Don’t Know If We’re Afoot or on Horseback

August 17, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Often caregivers don’t know if we’re afoot or on horseback. We are spread so thin, we meet ourselves coming or going. However, we are not alone. That happens to many people.

When we don’t know if we’re afoot or on horseback, we don’t know what we’re doing.

We are so confused we can’t remember:

What we have done
What we are doing now
What we need to do next

We lose our sense of direction and awareness of our actions.

Not knowing if we are afoot or on horseback often results from feeling overwhelmed.

Causes include:

Overwork
Exhaustion
Too many irons in the fire

Too much to do and too little time leave us bumfuzzled.

A day away does our bodies and minds good.

Whether we sit, walk, or ride, we need to rest and relax. A trip through the countryside refreshes and restores me. What helps you?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Thanks to Lori Carol Maloy for the suggestion.

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Cooking with Gas

August 10, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

One of my husband’s caregivers and I were dealing with a difficult situation. When we finally had everything working well, she said, “Now we’re cooking with gas!” That was a new expression for me.

This saying originated when gas stoves began replacing wood burning stoves.

My caregiver friend explained that gas stoves were considered a wonderful invention. Although wood burning stoves made delicious meals, they required hours of work.

Chopping wood
Starting a fire
Deciding when to start cooking
Wiping sweat during hot summer months
Cleaning ashes from the stove after cooking

Plus, cooking temperatures were hard to control.

Gas stoves were easier to use and resulted in fewer mistakes.

Cooks were more likely to achieve the results they desired. My mom loved her gas stove.

Cooking with gas means we achieve success.

Like a cook who prepares a gourmet meal or bakes a perfect cake, we get something right.

We successfully:

Solve a problem.
Correct an error.
Receive a promotion.

We do our work well.

If we are cooking with gas, people may think we work wonders.

Whether we create perfect meals or the perfect ball team, those who share our success love it.

Whatever we do, let’s encourage one another to do our best.

If we want to take the cake, we can’t use half-baked ideas. Neither can we do half-baked work.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8 NIV).

Thanks to J.D. Wininger and Rita Smalley for the suggestion.

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Chew on

June 29, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

Babies like to chew on whatever they find. Human babies keep teething rings wet with their efforts. Puppies often chew shoes and other non-food items. Their gnawing may last for hours.

To chew on something means to think about it.

We consider it from different viewpoints. Our thinking, like puppy gnawing, often lasts a long time.

We rarely like to chew on tough circumstances.

Although we enjoy chewing the fat with friends and family, we don’t want to think about problems.

Life’s struggles come from all directions.

Difficult relationships
Illness
Death
Work stress

We do enjoy chewing on positive situations or possibilities.

Special events with family and friends
Vacations
Births
Promotions

When we chew on all God has done, everything else fades in comparison.

We know our current concerns will not last forever. However, God will. His faithfulness offers hope for now and eternity.

“I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:12 NIV).

Thanks to Sarah Burns Hampshire for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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At Your Wits’ End

June 22, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Have you ever been at your wits’ end? Like a train conductor with no track, you wonder, What now?

At your wits’ end means you have no idea what to do.

You have tried everything you can think of, but nothing works. You feel:

Confused
Bumfuzzled
Helpless
Upset

At your wits’ end may result from your problem or someone else’s.

A difficult project or repair
An unruly child
Unexplained delays in services

You run out of patience, and frustration grows.

Your distress often affects other people. They see your negative reaction, or you hurt them with your words or deeds.

This idiom has a long history.

The Free Dictionary says it “appeared in Piers Ploughman (c. 1377).” We also find it in the Bible.

When at your wits’ end, seek guidance.

Someone else may be able to help you figure out an answer. With both major and minor problems, two heads are usually better than one. Turning to God for peace and direction is even better.

What joy when we finally understand what to do.

“They were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress” (Psalm 107:27-28).

Thanks to Meghan Bowker, Editor, Missions Mosaic for the suggestion. Image by Niek Verlaan from Pixabay.

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Split Hairs

May 11, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Do you remember sky-high teased hairstyles? Or have you seen pictures of them? Can you imagine all the split hairs that caused? Worse damage occurs when we split hairs with our words.

When we split hairs, we fight about minor details that make no major difference.

We focus on the petty or unimportant.

This metaphor “was first recorded in the late 17th century,” according to The Free Dictionary.

Most of us have split a few hairs.

Yet why let anything that is neither here nor there steal our attention? No need to stress. No need to waste that time. If it will not matter six months from now, let it go.

Let’s focus on the worthy.

Do what needs to be done.
Forget what makes little or no difference.
Never let trivial matters get our goat.

A single hair should not overtake the rest of our body. Neither should one small detail overtake our minds, emotions, or relationships.

“Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen” (2 Timothy 2:14 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion and to Misty Durham for the photo.

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Whistle Past the Graveyard

April 27, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 9 comments

I grew up near a graveyard. Later, my husband and I built a house across the road from one. We laughed and said we would have quiet neighbors. However, some people fear living so close to graves. They feel the need to whistle past the graveyard.

When we whistle past the graveyard, we hide our fear by acting calm.

We may be afraid of our own shadow. However, we don’t want anyone to know.

Whistling past the graveyard happens often.

In addition to passing a cemetery, we fear:

Public speaking
Competition for a championship
Any embarrassing situation

To whistle past the graveyard may increase courage.

Acting with courage often makes us more courageous. We survive what we fear, so the next time becomes easier.

The Bible tells us we have no need to fear death.

Followers of Jesus know that death and the grave are not the end. When Jesus arose from the grave, He conquered sin and death. We can share that same victory and look forward to an eternal home in heaven.

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice” (John 5:28 NIV).

Thanks to Bobbie Smith Bryant and Martha Orlando for the suggestion. Image by Carol Colman from Pixabay

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Weather the Storm

February 16, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

How did you weather the recent storm? Some of you may have escaped snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. However, we experienced all three. More than one person said our driveway was like a skating rink.

Literally, to weather the storm means to stay where we are until a storm passes.

We go nowhere. With few options, we hunker down and wait until the worst is over.

Figuratively, to weather the storm means to survive a hard time or situation.

We experience and live through it. Many close to us have recently faced such hardships.

Health crises
Death of family members
Job loss
Financial difficulties
Family problems

According to The Free Dictionary, this expression “has been used figuratively from about 1650.”

A similar expression is to ride out the storm.

We hang on for dear life through our difficulties.

Life is not always easy.

We experience ups and downs. Hard times come and go. Yet we can make it.

We never have to weather the storm alone.

God promises never to leave those who follow Him. Because He remains near, we have no need to fear.

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid” (Hebrews13:6 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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Flash in the Pan

December 29, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 13 comments

I thought flash in the pan originated with gold mining.

If a miner saw glitter in his pan, he became excited. Rather than gold, what he often saw was only a flash in the pan.

I was wrong.

According to The Phrase Finder, flash in the pan originated with flintlock muskets that had small pans for gunpowder. When gunpowder flared but no bullet fired, it was called a flash in the pan.

The expression, “hang fire,” has a similar origin.

Flash in the pan refers to a promise of success that fails.

Authors write only one bestseller.
Musicians record one hit but no others.
Actors star in only one major movie or play.
Athletes lose their positions after a brief career.
Businesses boom and then go bankrupt.

They make a splash, but their success does not last.

Doing our best beats trying to impress.

Let’s use our abilities, great or small, to make the world a better place. Now, that’s success!

“May the God of peace … equip you with everything good for doing his will” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

Thanks to Frank Cheatham for the flash in the pan suggestion and to Brad Leverett for hang fire. Image by Alexander Lesnitsky from Pixabay.

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UPDATE: Thanks to Warren Johnson who noticed that the pistol in my photo is a percussion pistol, not a flintlock. See his comments below for more interesting details about his flintlock rifle pictured here.