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Peanuts

Peanuts

Peanuts-squirrel eating peanuts from a feederOne of my cousins had the childhood nickname, Peanut. Like me, she was tiny, no bigger than a minute. Family and friends were not making fun of her. They loved her and thought she was cute as a button. In fact, they loved all the peanuts among us.

In addition to snack food, peanuts refer to tiny people or small amounts of money.

Good food. Good people. Not so good on a paycheck.

Although small, peanuts we eat have much to offer.

  • Great taste
  • Healthy fats
  • Plant-based protein

People who are peanuts also offer much.

Small does not mean weak. We can be:

  • Strong
  • Determined
  • Talented

For peanuts means for a small amount of money.

We either pay or receive little for a service. However, when we pay better wages, we usually receive better service. Most of us desire a good day’s pay for a good day’s work.

Peanut gallery means cheap theater seats far from the stage.

It also means people whose opinions receive little or no respect.

The Bible teaches the importance of small things and small people.

Whether small or great, let’s respect one another.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32 ESV).

Thanks to Rebecca Stafford for the suggestion. Image by Christiane from Pixabay.

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No Bigger than a Minute

No Bigger than a Minute

No Bigger than a Minute--Diana with nephewSome expressions suit us to a T.  This one describes me. All my life, I have been the smallest or one of the smallest in most settings.

  • Smallest person in my family
  • One of the smallest in my classes at school
  • Smallest in my office
  • Usually smallest in sports

You get the picture. Here I stand with my then 15-year-old nephew. The gentle giant with the shrimp of the family.

What makes this picture more fun: He was born tiny and premature. I was a big full-term baby.

No bigger than a minute means very small.

The expression often refers to a person who looks:

  • Tiny
  • Skinny
  • Frail
  • Hungry

This can also refer to animals or objects.

Abandoned baby animals look frail and hungry. In addition to food, they need tender loving care.

This expression has a few variations.

Although poor grammar, the following are common.

  • Weren’t no bigger than a minute
  • Ain’t bigger than a minute

 Anyone or anything no bigger than a minute can make a big difference.

Regardless of our size (or any other characteristic), God can use us to make the world a better place. Let’s work together — gentle giants, shrimps, and everyone in between — to spread God’s love with a hurting world.

“He will bless those who fear the Lord—small and great alike” (Psalm 115:13 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Klotz 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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