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Food for Thought

Food for Thought

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Food for Though-fruit trayFood for thought means something to consider.

What we consider may come from:

  • Our own minds
  • Something we see or read
  • An event
  • Another person (They offer information, or we pick their brain.)

All make us think about an idea.

Much like we digest food in our stomachs, we digest food for thought in our minds.

The digestion process may be easy or hard. We enjoy easy thoughts. However, we probably gain more from the hard ones.

Food we eat may give us food for thought.

Most of us enjoy food. It fills our stomachs and takes away our hunger. In addition, food offers:

  • Fellowship
  • Comfort
  • Fun
  • Learning opportunities

Some people have slim pickings in food. Others of us enjoy more food than we need. Rather than keeping it all for ourselves, perhaps we should consider giving more away. What better way to show an attitude of gratitude?

By sharing with others, our thoughts become action.

Please comment below with your ideas for putting thoughts into actions.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion.

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Slim Pickings

Slim Pickings

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Slim Pickings--empty store shelvesMany stores open early and close late on sale days. Early shoppers find several choices. Those who shop later in the day find slim pickings.

Slim pickings mean few choices.

Not much is left after others take what they want. This applies to more than shopping. We often find slim pickings:

  • At the end of a food line
  • Near the end of a gardening season

Slim pickings for one person look like treasures for others.

  • A small amount of food can save a starving person.
  • One coat warms a person in freezing weather.

What treasures can we offer others who survive on slim pickings?

Perhaps a good New Year’s resolution would be to share from our wealth.

  • Buy extra at the grocery to feed the hungry.
  • Give away some of our clothes and shoes.
  • Spend less on self and donate the money saved.

Why not make giving a lifestyle? We can’t take it with us when we die. Why not put it to good use while we live. Let’s give of our wealth. Let’s give of ourselves.

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9 NIV).

Thanks to Ruby Colvin 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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Poor as a Church Mouse

Poor as a Church Mouse

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Poor as a Church Mouse--mouse on a fenceIf we are poor as a church mouse, we are the poorest of the poor.

We own almost nothing.

Years ago, few churches had kitchens. Therefore, if a mouse lived in a church, it had little to eat. A child might drop crumbs from a snack. Yet, that would not last long. The poor mouse might starve.

We may have times poor as a church mouse. We may also have times rich as a king.

Our happiness does not depend on what we own.

We can be poor as church mice and happy. We make do.

We can also live high on the hog, and be unhappy.

Money matters little for true meaning in life.

We find real wealth in:

  • Peace in our souls
  • Purpose for living
  • Love for God and one another
  • Hope for the future
  • Joy for every day
  • Sharing what we have with those in need

We can’t take it with us when we die. So, why not put what we own to good use now?

“Better to be poor and honest than rich and a cheater” (Proverbs 28:6 TLB).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott 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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Tightfisted

Tightfisted

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TightfistedFew people want to be called tightfisted or closefisted. We don’t like to be known as selfish or cheap. A tightfisted person hates giving or spending money. They want to keep it all for themselves.

However, we can be tightfisted with more than money. Too often we fail to share our time and love. We need those much more.

  • How many children wish for more time and love from parents?
  • How many husbands or wives wish for more time and love from a spouse?
  • How many people live alone, thinking no one cares?

We can do something about the needs around us. If we are tightfisted, it is never too late to change. Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol provides a perfect example.

Of course, we want to use what we own wisely. We need to save money for future needs. At the same time, most of us can give far more than we do. With money, time, and love, let’s freely share.

The Gaither video Give It Away includes a scene of children receiving Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes filled with gifts. What a great reminder that we can make our world a better place to live.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for what we have. Then let’s open our tight fists and share with others. After all, we can’t take it with us.

“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude of Gratitude

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Attitude of GratitudeThe Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to express an attitude of gratitude.

During this special time, we take notice of and give thanks for our many blessings.

All too often, however, that attitude changes as easily as the seasons. Once Thanksgiving passes, so does our time of giving thanks.

Why not keep a thankful heart all year?

Why not focus on what we have rather than what we want? Why not view our glass as half-full rather than half-empty? Why be grumpy when we can be grateful? Why envy others who have more “stuff.” Why not be grateful we can share our “stuff” and then give some of it to someone who needs it?

  • Instead of building a bigger house, why not give thanks for a safe place to live.
  • Instead of buying a fancier car, why not be grateful for two good legs?
  • Instead of buying the latest tech toy, why not spend time talking to someone face to face?
  • Instead of eating too much, why not donate to the local food pantry. (See photo above.)
  • Instead of buying new clothes, why not recycle old ones? (Vintage is always in style.)

With all the money we save, think how much good we can do for others. As one song says, “Give it away.” Now that’s an attitude of gratitude and a great way to give thanks.

Will we allow thanksgiving to remain a one-day holiday or make it a lifestyle?

“Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loving-kindness continues forever” (Psalm 136:26 TLB).

Do you have a favorite expression or one you want explained? If so, please comment.

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Bend Over Backwards

Bend Over Backwards

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Some people do whatever it takes to help others.

They bend over backwards for you. Bend Over BackwardsIn other words:

  • No task is too difficult.
  • No amount of time is too long.
  • No request is too unreasonable.

If they have the resources, they give them freely and cheerfully.

When people take advantage of those who bend over backwards, they continue to give.

They would rather help someone who doesn’t need help than miss someone who does. Although occasionally described as too kind, they disagree. They believe they’re merely doing what is right.

I wonder what our world would be like if everyone followed their example?

What if we made a habit of:

  • Helping one another.
  • Supporting one another.
  • Forgiving one another.
  • Encouraging one another.

Are you ready for a little back bending?

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NRSV).

Thanks to Molly Sullivan for sharing her athletic skills in today’s photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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