success Archives - Page 2 of 5

Not Have a Leg to Stand On

January 2, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

My friend Sharon recently bought a small decorative deer that did not have a leg to stand on. Actually, it had three legs, but the fourth leg was missing.

Sharon was not sure when she could exchange the deer. Creative person that she is, she used her grandchildren’s play dough to make a new leg. She painted the leg, so it would not look like it wore a cast.

Not have a leg to stand on means we have no support for our thoughts, words, or actions.

Not Have a Leg to Stand On--Deer with play dough leg — Play Dough to the Rescue

No facts back up our position. We lack the evidence we need. This applies to:

Personal positions
Courtroom arguments
Scientific studies
Medical trials
Educational research
Political stands

With no leg to stand on, we have no possibility for success. Regardless of our efforts, we end up spinning our wheels. We waste our time.

When that happens, we need to correct the situation.

Like my friend, we alter our circumstances. We may:

Change our stand
Take a new stand

Whatever we do, we want to seek and follow the truth.

We don’t give up. Rather, we find a better way. As my friend did with her deer, we fix what’s broken.

When we don’t have a leg to stand on, remember to look to the one who created us.

Not Have a Leg to Stand On--repaired leg — Ready to Serve Again

We may be broken and disabled, but God can pick up the pieces of our brokenness and make us whole again.

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9 NIV).

Thanks to Sharon Berry for the suggestion and photos.

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Start from Scratch

December 26, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

My mother and grandmothers made the best homemade biscuits. Instead of store bought, they would always start from scratch.

To start from scratch means to start from nothing.

Begin at the beginning.
Take no shortcuts.

From-scratch cooks would never bake:

Biscuits from a box
Cake from a mix
Meat from a can

Instead, they began with basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and shortening. Made-from-scratch food makes a mouth-watering difference. It tastes so much better.

However, my mom did use mixes part-time as she grew older.

Start from scratch began as a sports phrase.

Someone would scratch a starting line on the ground for a race to begin. A runner would toe the mark in order to begin at the beginning. According to The Phrase Finder, people have used this expression since the 18^th century.

Start from scratch now relates to most activities. For example, in the business world, it refers to a person who begins a new project.

As the New Year approaches, look for new opportunities.

Whether you continue with the old or start with new, I pray all your plans go well. I also hope you enjoy a few made-from-scratch biscuits.

Happy New Year!

“May [the Lord] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion and to Jeri Stone for the photos.

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Outside the Box

December 19, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

Sometimes we find ourselves doing the same thing over and over again. We make no progress because we never change. When that happens, we need to think outside the box.

To think outside the box means to think beyond the usual limits.

We think, plan, and act:

In new ways
Outside the norm
In unusual directions
With imagination
Apart from tradition

We no longer box ourselves in with the same old patterns.

Routine no longer rules. We leave our fear of the unknown and move into new territory.

During Christmas, let’s also think outside the box.

Rather than focus on giving gifts in boxes or bags, let’s focus on gifts that last. We soon forget or throw away most of our wrapped presents. Yet, we remember for a lifetime such treasures as:

Kindness
Trustworthiness
Helping hands
Time together
Shared sorrow or joy
True friendship

Now is a great time to throw out the box. Let’s:

Open our hearts
Give of ourselves
Share God’s gift of love to the world

Merry Christmas!

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion.

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Jump the Gun

November 21, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

In the past, a gun fired as a signal to start many sports contests. Runners occasionally became so excited, they would jump the gun. They started running before their races began.

To jump the gun means to begin before the right time.

Like athletes, we occasionally jump the gun in life. We act too quickly.

Rather than wait until everything is ready, we start too soon. Our actions are not:

Appropriate
Wise
Approved

Patience is hard to practice.

Yet, we need it. Instead of getting in too big a hurry, we want to toe the mark. Better to follow the guidelines than ruin our chances of getting where we want to go.

When tempted to bypass the rules, let’s hold our horses.

Plan to go when it’s time to go but wait when it’s time to wait.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14 NIV).

Thanks to Melissa Bright for the suggestion. Image by Vlad Vasnetsov from Pixabay.

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Turn the Tables

November 7, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

I never played much chess. However, I played checkers with my dad and sister for years. When I was losing, I hoped to turn the tables. I wanted to win.

I never physically turned the tables to play from the opposite side. However, I tried to change the outcome of the game.

When we turn the tables, we reverse a situation.

It becomes the opposite of what it was. We see such major changes in:

Board games, like chess or checkers
Sports events
Job positions
Any competition

This expression also applies to major changes in plans.

Usually, the change helps the person who had an earlier disadvantage. Roles reverse. The shoe is on the other foot.

How did this expression begin?

According to The Free Dictionary, “Until the mid-18^th century, tables was the usual name for the board game backgammon. Early instances of the use of this phrase, dating from the mid-17^th century, made it clear that it comes from the practice of turning the board so that a player had to play what had previously been their opponent’s position.”

We find examples of turned tables throughout history.

The Bible tells the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. Eventually, Joseph achieved an important leadership position. When famine struck, Joseph’s brothers went to him for grain. They did not recognize him. After Joseph identified himself, his brothers feared for their lives.

Yet, Joseph did not act high and mighty when their roles changed. Instead, he forgave his brothers and provided for them.

Like Joseph, we have an opportunity to help others when the tables turn our way.

^“‘But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:20-21 NIV).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott and Beckham Wilson for the suggestion. Image by Waldemar Bajda from Pixabay.

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High Cotton

August 22, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Whether we know it or not, we probably wish we were in high cotton.

During the height of cotton’s growing season, fluffy fields of white appear throughout the southern United States. Growers hope for a successful crop.

When we achieve success, we are in high cotton.

Businesses earn a high profit.
Students make good grades.
Families enjoy the perfect home.
Children receive their favorite toys.

High cotton does not give us the right to act high and mighty.

Success does not make us any better or worse than anyone else. With an attitude of gratitude, we use our success to help other people succeed. Rather than a big head, we develop a big heart.

We want to bear fruit that makes a lasting impact.

We have only a few years on this earth. What we do with them makes an eternal difference.

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all (1 Chronicles 29:12 NIV).

Thanks to James E. Hodges for the suggestion. Image by Clayton Decker from Pixabay.

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On the Right Track

August 1, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

When we ride a train, we want to get on the right track. We never get where we want to go if we go the wrong direction.

If I visit other countries with friends, we always stay close together when entering or exiting trains. We don’t want to arrive at the wrong destination alone.

On the right track means we will probably succeed.

This applies to travel. It also applies to life, when we head the right direction.

On the right track relates to both our thoughts and actions.

What we think usually guides our behavior. In order to find and follow the right direction, we want to choose the right:

Friends
Mentors
Teachers

We also want to research and think for ourselves. Any of us can be wrong at times, like a dog that barks up the wrong tree. Therefore, let’s obtain all the information we can rather than simply follow the crowd.

May we always make wise choices.

That way, we have no regrets when we reach the end of the road.

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Maniscalco for the suggestion.

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On the Ball

July 18, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

When I played softball, both my coach and my husband reminded me to keep my eye on the ball. Whether batting or playing third base, I needed to focus on the ball.

As my husband said, “You can’t hit it if you don’t see it.” He also reminded me, “You can’t throw it if you don’t catch it.”

On the ball means to stay alert.

It applies to all of life.

If I remain on the ball, I:

Pay attention
Learn all I can
Do what needs to be done

On the ball also means skillful.

I was never the best player. I tried hard and did my best. However, other players were more skillful. They knew how to get the ball rolling in a game.

They

Understood the game better
Moved faster
Had more success

Many times, when they swung for the fences, they hit a home run.

Nevertheless, I

Had a great time
Met new friends
Made many memories

God gives new opportunities to stay on the ball every day. Like everyone, I choose whether to accept them.

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion and to Richard Robards for the photo.

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Rub Elbows

July 11, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we rarely shake hands anymore. Instead, we bump fists or elbows. We have had few opportunities to rub elbows.

To rub elbows means to interact with another person or persons.

Our elbows rarely touch, but we make social contact. We are close enough we could touch elbows. Contacts may be one-on-one or with a group.

Such contacts do not usually require hard physical work or elbow grease. Instead, we socialize.

We rub elbows in both work and non-work settings.

If we want a better job, we try to rub elbows with our bosses. We hope to impress them with our abilities and our willingness to work hard.

If we want to join a social group, we try to rub elbows with people in that group. We hope to convince them we would make a good member.

In all our interactions with one another, we want to present ourselves well.

Rather than get off on the wrong foot,

Work well.
Treat others well.
Live well for the one who created us – elbows, feet, and all.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 NIV).

Thanks to Lindy Pierce for the suggestion.

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Bigwig

July 4, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Few of us are bigwigs. However, we probably know people who are.

A bigwig is an important person.

The person may be a:

King, queen, or other government official
President of a company
Famous actor or athlete

A bigwig usually has a high position, power, and money.

According to The Phrase Finder, “The fashion for wigs began with the Bourbon kings of France. Louis XIII (1601 – 1643) went prematurely bald and took to wearing a wig. By the middle of the century … wigs were virtually obligatory for all European nobility.” Their wigs became so large, this phrase grew in popularity.

Bigwig also means a person who pretends to be important.

If we try to be a bigwig, we act highfalutin. Our pride gives us a big head. Other people usually recognize the behavior as only an act.

Everyone is important to God.

We may not have a high position, money, or power, but God gives us purpose. May each of us find our purpose and do it to the best of our ability.

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3 NIV).

Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion. Image by Michael Gaida from Pixabay.

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