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It Is What It Is

It Is What It Is

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It Is What It Is--stump with a moose carvingIt is what it is. That reality applies to all of life. Much we can change, but not everything.

It is what it is refers to a situation we can’t change.

We don’t like it, but we can’t undo what has been done, so we:

  • Accept it
  • Do the best we can
  • Move on with our lives

We must deal with life as it comes.

When we can’t change it, we make the most of it. Yes, it is frustrating. Yes, it is hard. That’s life. We deal with it as it is.

A simple example: What do we do with a stump? The tree is gone. Do we:

  • Do nothing and leave the stump where it is?
  • Dig it up and fill the hole with dirt?
  • Try to make it beautiful?

It Is What It Is--honeysuckle covered stumpTree carvers turn stumps into works of art. Most of us don’t have that skill. My family’s solution: We let honeysuckle cover the stump. Honeysuckle is a weed, but we love its blooms.

Our stump is still a stump, but we chose to make the best of a bad situation.

Before I took the honeysuckle picture, a deer ate most of its blooms. I was disappointed, but it is what it is. I took the picture anyway.

Occasionally, it is what it is becomes an excuse to do nothing.

Although hard, most difficulties are not impossible. We simply don’t want to deal with them.

Let’s use this expression to motivate, not to excuse.

Make the most of life as it is.

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood for the suggestion. First image by Kai from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

How the Sausage Is Made-Harriet Michael book, Glimpses of the SaviorOn Saturday, October 22, I will randomly select the name of one person on my mailing list to receive a free copy of Shirley Crowder and Harriet Michaels’s devotional book, Glimpses of the Savior: 50 Meditations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. If you are not already on my mailing list, you can sign up here.

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Alive and Kicking

Alive and Kicking

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Alive and Kicking--Girl kicking on a sunset beachFew of us can kick as high as Stella. Yet, we can move at our own pace. We are alive and kicking.

I recently talked with a friend I had not seen in several years. When I asked how she was, she said, “I’m still kicking.” Like most people, she had experienced ups and downs. Some days she kicks higher than others.

Alive and kicking means alive and well.

As my father loved to say, we are “full of vim, vigor, and vitality.” We have:

  • Energy
  • Enthusiasm
  • Health

We are:

  • Strong
  • Alert
  • Active

We still exist, so we still have purpose.

Alive and kicking does not mean a perfect life.

We all deal with less than perfect experiences. That’s life. We may suffer:

  • Health crises
  • Financial woes
  • Relationship problems
  • Daily challenges

Yet, we don’t give up. Rather, we rise and shine. We give thanks for each day and determine to make the most of the resources and abilities we possess.

We kick as high as we can.

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:4 NIV).

Thanks to Virginia Harris Sturgeon for the suggestion and to Rhonda Wade Royster for the photo.

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Right as Rain

Right as Rain

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Right as Rain--raindrops on leaves and flowerLike a gentle rain on a hot, dry day, some things feel right as rain. Plants need refreshment, and so do people. After a long, dry spell of trouble, we love calm showers of peace.

Right as rain often means life is all right.

We enjoy:

  • Good or improved health
  • Everything working as it should

We feel well. Problems are solved. Work is complete.

Right as rain also means something is correct.

  • We give the right answers on a test.
  • Our work meets or exceeds requirements.

At times, right as rain means dependable.

People are as good as their word. We can take what they say to the bank. Regardless of their circumstances, rain or shine, they do what is right.

God offers a good, correct, and dependable life.

That does not mean everything always goes as we hope. It does mean everything will eventually work out.

Sooner or later, people fail. God never has and never will. We can trust God with our lives and our futures.

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants” (Deuteronomy 32:2 NIV).

Thanks to Regina Graham for the suggestion.

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Katy Bar the Door

Katy Bar the Door

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Katy Bar the Door: old double doors with bar across themGet ready. Beware. Katy bar the door.

My dad often used this expression if he expected trouble, such as:

  • Bad weather
  • Economic problems
  • Political unrest
  • Broken relationships

Katy (or Katie) bar the door warns of danger ahead.

A common southern expression, it tells people to be careful. They need to watch their step and prepare for hard times ahead.

If people expect someone to try to break in their house, they lock (or bar) their door. They take necessary precautions.

The origin of Katy bar the door is uncertain.

 According to The Phrase Finder, possibilities include:

  • A Scottish folk song, “Get Up and Bar the Door”
  • The attempt of Catherine Douglas to save the Scottish King James I

Whatever the origin, use caution when facing danger. 

Better safe than sorry. Take the right steps to protect against possible threats.

“The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it” (Proverbs 27:12 NRSV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Image by József Kincse from Pixabay.

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Don’t Sweat It

Don’t Sweat It

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Don't Sweat It-Fan in the foreground; sun in the backgroundLast week we explored sweating bullets. This week we look at a better plan: Don’t sweat it.

Don’t sweat it means not to worry about it.

When troubles arise, sweating bullets does no good. In fact, it frequently causes great harm.

  • Upset stomach
  • Headaches
  • Tight Muscles.
  • Sleep Loss

“Ain’t no need to worry.”

Several years ago, I watched an interview of a baseball player. I don’t remember the player or his team. However, I do remember this wise (but grammatically incorrect) quote.

He explained that if we worry about something that never happens, we waste all that time and energy. Therefore, “ain’t no need to worry.”

Then he said if we worry about something that does happen, we failed to stop it. Again, “ain’t no need to worry.”

 “Why worry when we can pray?”

This quote comes from my friend Marian Woosley.

Her grammatically correct message reminds us to shake off our worry. Pray about our concerns. Let go and let God have control.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear” (Luke 12:22 NIV).

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Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay.

Sweat Bullets

Sweat Bullets

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Sweat Bullets-sweat on foreheadFew of us like to sweat bullets – physical or emotional.

After a hard day of physical work, giant drops of sweat the size of bullets drip from us. We get:

We long for a cool breeze, swim, or shower to help us feel better.

To sweat bullets also refers to emotional stress.

We become:

  • Anxious
  • Nervous.
  • Distressed
  • Fearful

We turn into worry warts.

Many stresses result from our circumstances.

  • Physical illness
  • Death
  • Job loss
  • Financial problems
  • Natural disasters

Other stresses come from within us.

We worry about:

  • An unknown future
  • Our purpose in life
  • Life after death

Whether external or internal, we tie ourselves in knots.

Next week we will look at a better way to deal with life’s stresses. Until then, stay cool, physically and emotionally. Seek God’s peace and purpose for this life and the next. Enjoy the possibilities of every day.

“Don’t fret and worry—it only leads to harm” (Psalm 37:8 TLB).

Thanks to Ann Maniscalco for the suggestion.

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Salt in a Wound

Salt in a Wound

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Salt in a Wound -container of saltYears ago, people treated many medical emergencies at home. One common remedy was to pour or rub salt in a wound. That solution often caused more pain than the original problem.

Salt in a wound hurts.

 Although salt (or saltwater) helps heal or sooth certain conditions, it causes damage to others. Even if it helps, salt on an open sore stings.

To pour or rub salt in a wound means to make a bad situation worse.

 Our words or actions hurt rather than help.

  • A friend loses a contest, and we praise the winner.
  • Our neighbor’s boss fires him, and we brag about our promotion.
  • A relative’s wife leaves him, and we talk about her handsome boyfriend.

Whether deliberate or not, we increase the person’s hardship, shame, or sadness.

Rather than rub salt in a wound, let’s serve as salt of the earth.

 When other people feel down in the dumps, let’s lift them up. We have the privilege to share their sorrow as well as their joy.

“Being happy-go-lucky around a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing his jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in his wounds” (Proverbs 25:20 TLB).

Thanks to Pat Childress Conner Stapp for the suggestion. Image courtesy of  Pixabay.

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The Shoe Is on the Other Foot

The Shoe Is on the Other Foot

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The Shoe Is on the Other Foot--shoes on wrong feetIf we put the right shoe on the right foot, it feels fine. However, if we put it on the left foot, it hurts. We don’t like it when the shoe is on the other foot.

The shoe is on the other foot means circumstances are opposite what they were before.

We change roles.

  • Bosses becomes employees.
  • Teachers becomes students.
  • Bullies get bullied.

With roles reversed, troublemakers receive trouble.

If we held the power, we don’t like it when we become powerless. Like shoes on the wrong feet, the change hurts.

However, if we receive power, it usually feels good. We may be tempted to:

Whatever our role, we don’t want to get off on the wrong foot.

If we hold the power, we never want to act high and mighty. Instead, let’s use our power in a helpful way. If others hold power over us, let’s give a good days work for a good day’s pay. In either role, let’s treat one another with respect.

“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.” (Proverbs 4:14 NIV).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion and to Laura Mitchell Wilds with Mitchell’s Clothing for the photo.

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Idle Hands Are the Devil’s Tools

Idle Hands Are the Devil’s Tools

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Idle Hands Are the Devil's Tools-hands shaping potteryWe can use our hands for great good or great evil. Too much free time often leads us the wrong direction. Idle hands are the devil’s tools.

Idle hands are the devil’s tools has several similar proverbs.

They include:

  • Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
  • An idle brain (or mind) is the devil’s workshop.
  • Idle hands do the devil’s work.

All mean we are more likely to get into trouble when we have nothing to do.

Busy minds and hands leave little time for mischief.

We need free time and rest, but not too much.

Children (and adults) need time to use their imaginations. They also need to learn the value of work and helping others. Good habits learned early in life help us the rest of our lives.

Hands that create beautiful pieces of art can also destroy that beauty.

However, if we pick up the pieces of the messes we make, we can create something lovely again.

Give God your hands, the broken pieces of your life — all of you — and watch Him work.

“Let your hands not be idle” (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV)

Thanks to Judy Corbin for the suggestion. Thanks also to Judy Clark for finding the photo of Tommy Clark and to Richard Robards for permission to use it.

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The Pits

The Pits

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The Pits-overflowing bowl of cherries and knifeMany in the world have faced difficult circumstances in recent days. A few describe their situation as the pits.

One problem stacks on top of other problems.

  • Illness
  • Storms
  • Difficult relationships
  • Job loss
  • Death

Troubles never seem to stop. Each day people wonder what will happen next and wait for the next shoe to drop.

The pain and uncertainty of life occasionally overwhelm.

People wonder where to turn and what to do. They feel like they are dealing with the worst of the worst. At the end of their rope, they want to give up in despair.

The pits can refer to a situation or a place.

Either way, no one wants to go there or stay there.

The origin of the pits remains uncertain.

Possibilities include:

  • Cherry or other fruit pits
  • Holes in the ground
  • Armpits
  • The service area in a car race
  • Coal pits

 None of these sound like a good place to stay.

Most people eventually get out of the pits.

  • They recover from illness.
  • Storms pass.
  • Relationships improve or they find new ones.
  • Other jobs become available.
  • Faith offers hope for life beyond death.

Whether in the pits or on top of the world, we have access to God who offers hope in every circumstance of life.

“I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: ‘Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.’ You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’” Lamentations 3:55-57 NIV).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion and the photo.

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