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Many Hands Make Light Work

Many Hands Make Light Work

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Many Hands Make Light Work-Children's hands stacked on top of one anotherDo you have little helpers who remind you that many hands make light work? Maybe your children or grandchildren? Perhaps a neighbor or friend?

Many of my favorite experiences involve children who helped me. Their help may have meant extra time or a bigger mess. Yet, what fun. They learned to work together and to help one another.

Many hands make light work means the more who work together, the easier and faster the work.

 Work may be on:

Many hands may not make the work easy as pie. It will make the work easier.

Many hands make light work applies to all areas of life.

  • Jobs
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Community
  • Church
  • Volunteer work

Take advantage of opportunities to lend a helping hand.

Supporting one another makes life better for everyone – the one who receives help plus the one who helps.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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If You Lie Down with Dogs, You Will Get Up with Fleas

If You Lie Down with Dogs, You Will Get Up with Fleas

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If You Lie Down with Dogs, You Will Get Fleas--two dogs on a bedIf you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas was a greater certainty before flea collars and other medications for dogs became common.

However, dogs still get fleas. When dogs get them, people who come in contact with the dogs also get fleas. Not a pleasant thought but a realistic one.

If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas applies to more than dogs and fleas.

This proverb means you tend to become like the people around you.

  • Choose dishonest friends, and threaten your honesty.
  • Hang out with criminals, and chance arrest for crimes.
  • Spend time with drug users, and risk drug use yourself.
  • If you play with fire you get burned.

Like disease, behavior can be contagious.

Therefore, you do well to choose friends wisely, those who are on the up and up. Definitely treat everyone well. Show respect to all, regardless of their background. At the same time, choose close friends who will influence you for good, not evil.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Thanks to Emily Akin for the suggestion and to Tammy Cheatham Page for the photo.

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Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

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Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right--two doves above an extended handWhen people wrong us, our natural reaction is to get even. We want to hurt them, to give them a taste of their own medicine. However, two wrongs don’t make a right.

If we keep hurting one another, everyone loses. In a battle of revenge, no one wins. Instead, we cut off our nose to spite our face. We never resolve a conflict with more conflict.

Two wrongs don’t make a right means a second offense does not cancel the first one.

  • Insulting someone who insults us does not erase our pain.
  • Attacking someone who attacked us does not take away the injury.
  • Lying about a person who lied about us only means neither of us can be trusted.

When we harm others, we harm ourselves.

Getting even may release part of our stress. Yet, bad feelings continue. When revenge rises, let’s nip it in the bud. Get rid of it before it gets out of control.

Don’t nurse negative emotions.

Jesus offers a better way.

  • Love
  • Compassion
  • Grace
  • Forgiveness.

Jesus’ life on earth demonstrated the words He taught. As soldiers nailed Him to a cross, Jesus forgave them. He was dying for them.

None of us deserve Jesus’ salvation, but He offers it anyway. Only when we follow His example will be experience inner peace. Problems may continue. Others may cause trouble. Yet, we have peace because we know the Prince of Peace.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44 NIV).

Thanks to Jason Smith for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

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Confession Is Good for the Soul

Confession Is Good for the Soul

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Confession Is Good for the Soul- mother kneels to comfort a crying child“Tell me the truth. You will feel better if you do. Confession is good for the soul.”

How many times have children heard those or similar words? They do something wrong and get caught red-handed. The more they try to hide their wrong, the worse they feel. If they don’t tell the truth, they get in more trouble.

Of course, the same relates to adults. Trying to hide our mistakes or deliberate evil only makes a bad situation worse. We feel guilty. Our guilt makes us sick, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Confession is good for the soul declares great truth.

When we confess, we free ourselves from:

  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Stress

We come clean. This applies whether we commit small or large misdeeds.

Confession is good for the soul pertains to all our relationships.

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Enemies
  • Strangers

The other person may or may not forgive us. We are not responsible for their reaction. However, we are responsible for our own.

We find this truth in the Bible.

The words vary, but the truth remains the same. Its greatest application is in our relationship with God.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion and the photo.

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You Made Your Bed, You Must Lie in It

You Made Your Bed, You Must Lie in It

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You Made Your Bed--bed in The Elms (R. I.)You made your bed, you must lie in it has nothing to do with making a bed. The expression focuses on behavior.

You have to live with the results of what you do.

  • Good choices bring good results.
  • Bad choices bring bad results.

If you cause problems, expect problems in your life. If you share joy, expect joy in return.

 Of course, exceptions to the rule occur. However, you usually experience the natural or logical effects of your actions. You did it, so you must live with it.

Several expressions have the same meaning.

Whether you talk about beds, gardens, music, or chickens, the message remains the same. For the best life, make the best choices.

“When you see trouble coming, don’t be stupid and walk right into it— be smart and hide” (Proverbs 22:3 CEV).

Thanks to Bonnie Alley for the suggestion.

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A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

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A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss--a stream running between mossy rocksA rolling stone gathers no moss is more than a proverb. It is a fact. Moss grows slowly, and it does not grow well if moved. No moss grows on a rolling stone.

This proverb has a long history and two possible meanings.

  1. The most common meaning: A person who does not stay in one place (a rolling stone) has little success. He never grows (gathers moss) anywhere. The person:
  • Keeps changing jobs or where he lives
  • Owns little or nothing
  • Does not like responsibility

Therefore, we cannot depend on that person, because he:

  • May be gone when we need him
  • Gets nothing done
  1. Another possible meaning for a rolling stone gathers no moss: The ideas of a person who moves around (a rolling stone) do not grow old (gather moss). That person:
  • Finds new ideas
  • Becomes more creative

For him, gathering moss is like spinning his wheels.  He does something but feels like he gets nowhere. Therefore, movement keeps him fresh.

Perhaps we can find truth in both meanings.

We need to:

  • Accept responsibility
  • Stay useful

 At the same time, we want to:

  • Explore new ideas
  • Find better ways to do what needs to be done

Some of us find success in the same place doing the same thing – gathering moss. Others of us do better as a rolling stone – exploring different places and activities.

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion.

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We Catch More Flies with Honey than Vinegar

We Catch More Flies with Honey than Vinegar

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We Catch More Flies with Honey than Vinegar-honey in jars

We catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Set some honey near flies and watch what happens.

Nothing equals the sweet taste of honey.

Flies love it. So do people.

We don’t usually like the taste of vinegar by itself.

Think about what that teaches.

We get our needs met faster when we are polite.

Be sweet to other people.

  • Treat everyone as we want to be treated.
  • Show respect.
  • Speak and act with kindness.
  • Smile.
  • Give more than expected for good measure.

A bad attitude makes everyone feel worse.

We cannot act sour and expect everyone to treat us well. When we complain constantly, we should not expect good service.

Yet, one small act of kindness can make everyone feel and act better.

Watch what happens when a happy baby enters a room full of frowning adults. The whole room changes.

  • The baby laughs, waves, and tries to play with the adults.
  • Adults smile, wave, and play with the child.
  • Soon everyone has a great time.

We may not be sweet as a baby. However, we can be friendly. Let’s add a little joy to the lives of those we meet.

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24 NET).

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

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A Stitch in Time 2I watched my Granny Childress sew many times. Sometimes she used a sewing machine like this one. Sometimes she sewed by hand. Either way, she knew a stitch in time saves nine. In other words, a little work now prevents a lot of work later.

  • Sewing a small rip in clothing now prevents a large rip later.
  • Stopping a little leak now prevents a big water bill later.
  • Replacing old brakes now prevents a car wreck later.

If we let things slide now, we suffer later. That’s true with clothing, houses, and cars. It’s also true in relationships. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

When we can, let’s stop problems now, so they will not get worse later.

“A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences” (Proverbs 27:12 TLB).

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