wisdom Archives - Diana Derringer

If Push Comes to Shove

October 19, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Children (and some adults) enjoy pushing games. If push comes to shove, the game becomes more serious. Pushing gets harder and rougher. Fun turns to fights.

If (or when) push comes to shove, the situation becomes critical.

It gets so bad that extreme action must be taken.

Surgeons remove an arm or a leg to save a life.
Storm damage forces families to move.
Job loss requires selling property to survive.

Circumstances leave no choice. Tough times require tough actions.

When push comes to shove, we cannot delay.

Everything else failed, and we must act immediately if not sooner.

Critical situations often require help.

We reach out to friends and family for aid and support. However, we want people willing to put feet to their prayers. When we are in hot water, we don’t need anyone with cold feet.

We want to offer others the encouragement and assistance we desire.

We all face hard times from time to time. May our words and deeds offer encouragement when they occur.

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18 NIV).

Thanks to Judy Corbin for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Tama Fortner’s Autographed Book Giveaway Reminder

On 10-21-26, I will randomly select the name of one person on my mailing list to receive a free autographed copy of Tama Fortner’s book, Serah and the First Christmas. Please encourage your friends to join my mailing list for a chance to win. Email me if anyone signs up and receive an extra chance to win.

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

Putting Out Fires

October 12, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

Please welcome my friend Tama Fortner as today’s guest writer. Tama is an Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) award-winning and bestselling author with more than sixty titles to her credit. Her latest releases include Serah and the First Christmas; Prayers for Each Moment; God, I Feel Scared; and Easter Is Coming! She has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Christian publishing to create inspirational books for all ages. But her greatest accomplishments happen in a happy little home on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee, with her family and a feisty little pup who is convinced she’s people too. You can receive Tama’s latest bookish news, giveaway opportunities, and more when you sign up for her newsletter.

Too often, I allow the “dings” of alerts to drive my day. I end up putting out fires and getting dragged away from what most needs to be done.

Ding! An email with an urgent request. Ding! A text with another. Ding! A missed call. There’s even a ding to take the dog out. (Though, admittedly, I probably need this one.) Every ding feels like a fire that needs putting out.

That expression—“putting out fires”—has its roots in actual firefighting.

Firefighters rush to put out fires before they spread or cause more damage. Over time, this expression came to describe addressing urgent problems before they spread or cause damage. Sounds good, right?

Its modern meaning is a bit different, though. Cambridge Dictionary defines it this way: “to spend time on problems that need to be dealt with quickly, instead of working in a calm, planned way.” Ugh.

Real fires demand real attention.

But not every ding is a fire.

So when the next ding comes, instead of plunging headlong into firefighting mode, pause and pray. Ask God to show you what is urgent, what can wait, and what was never your fire to put out in the first place.

Because while you may be “worried and upset about many things,” Jesus reminds us only one thing is needed: Him. (Luke 10:41–42).

Image by Enrique from Pixabay.

An Autographed Book Giveaway from Tama

On 10-21-26, Diana will randomly select the name of one person on her mailing list to receive a free autographed copy of Tama’s book, Serah and the First Christmas. Please encourage your friends to join Diana’s mailing list for a chance to win Tama’s book. Email Diana if anyone signs up and receive an extra chance to win.

Bells and Whistles

October 5, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

When a friend looked for a new car, she wanted bells and whistles like those on her old car. However, her husband thought such fancy features only added to what could go wrong. She loved a remote start on freezing days. He preferred simple parts with fewer potential repairs.

Bells and whistles refer to additional but unnecessary features.

Although not required, they add to appeal.

Remote starts don’t make cars run better.
Fancy packages don’t make devices more reliable.
Extra settings rarely make washers clean better.

This expression may come from old cinema or fairground organs.

According to The Free Dictionary, some organs that played during silent films or at fairgrounds included bell and whistle sounds.

Bells and whistles often confuse.

We cannot figure out how to use all those fancy gadgets. Basic requirements do what we need. Extras may or may not make life easier. However, they usually increase costs.

Interesting does not always equal helpful. Bells and whistles do not guarantee slick as a whistle.

Trends come and go. Let’s cling to the reliable.

Bells and whistles can be fun or useful. However, we don’t want to overemphasize them. Rather, let’s consider:

What will last?
What will make a difference?
What holds true worth?

“All the fancy things you loved so much are gone,” they cry. “The dainty luxuries and splendor that you prized so much will never be yours again. They are gone forever.” (Revelation 18:14 TLB)

Thanks to Lindy Pierce for the suggestion.

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

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Slick as a Whistle

September 28, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

A nurse recently told one of my friends, “You bruise like slick.” I think she meant my friend bruised easily. However, I am guessing based on the meaning of slick as a whistle and similar expressions.

As slick as a whistle, a simile, means quickly and skillfully.

If we have the ability and motivation, we:

Waste no time
Perform well
Make the work look easy

We love for our efforts to go as slick as a whistle.

No problems
Simple
Fast

However, we must be willing to:

Learn
Practice
Invest time and energy

We also want possessions to perform well.

We depend on:

Cars to take us where we need to go
Electronics to keep us in contact with friends, coworkers, and businesses
Appliances to cook, cool, and clean

This expression’s origin is uncertain according to The Free Dictionary.

First recorded in 1830, it probably “refers either to the ease of producing a whistle or to its clear tone.”

If we desire slick-as-a-whistle results, we must remain on our toes.

Ready to do what needs to be done
Willing to go the extra mile
Using our talents in the most effective way

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” —Ecclesiastes 10:10 NIV

Thanks to Fran Smith for the idea. Photo courtesy of Pexels.

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The Patience of Job

September 21, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 14 comments

Do you know people with the patience of Job? Those I admire include:

Parents with a houseful of children
Teachers with rowdy, disrespectful students
Doctors with full waiting rooms who take time to answer questions

The patience of Job refers to people with great patience.

They stay calm in the middle of chaos. They treat others with kindness — even those rude to them.

People with the patience of Job endure through every circumstance.

They rarely waver despite:

Illness
Financial problems
Relationship struggles
Work overload

The patience of a saint means the same.

We often wonder how those people stay cool as a cucumber while others sweat bullets.

They rarely:

Yell
Act frustrated
Blame others

Instead, they:

Speak quietly
Do what needs to be done
Take responsibility when they do anything wrong

This expression refers to Job, a man in the Bible, who lost almost everything.

His losses included:

All his children
Possessions
Health

Job could not understand his suffering but stood firm in his faith.

Although he received little support from people, he relied on God.

Eventually:

Job’s health was restored.
He had more children.
His possessions doubled.

One constant for Job: Through all his ups and downs, God was always there.

“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God” (Job 19:25-26 NIV).

Thanks to Jessi Gowen for the suggestion.

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

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Peanuts

September 14, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

One 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.

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

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Cut from a Different Cloth

August 31, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

My grandmother taught me to sew. We made most garments from one cloth. However, we cut some from a different cloth.

Literally, cut from a different cloth means garments made from different fabrics.

I made the top of one dress from velvet. The bottom was satin. Although unlike one another, the two cloths worked well together.

Figuratively, cut from a different cloth means people or objects differ.

We may vary in:

Personality
Culture
Interests
Backgrounds

Being cut from a different cloth can cause problems.

If we refuse to accept anyone unlike us, life becomes difficult.

Everyone suffers from:

Inability to get along
Lack of understanding
Poor support

Often, our differences matter little.

We may compromise or change our minds on:

Decorations
Menus
Entertainment

Other times, we must stand firm in our convictions.

We never want to waver on:

Eternal matters
Harmful behavior
Honesty

Whether cut from the same or a different cloth, let’s learn to get along.

Disagree in agreeable ways.
Respect one another.
Listen and learn.

“Show proper respect to everyone” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion.

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Hold Your Taters

August 24, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

When my brother was little, I often said, “Patience, Robbie, patience.” He once responded, “I hate that word!”

He might have preferred my saying, “Hold your taters.” Tater is slang for potato.

To hold your taters means to wait or be patient.

Don’t rush.
Take your time.

This expression is similar to:

All remind you to practice caution.

If you move too quickly, you often end up in trouble.

To stay out of hot water, you need to:

Slow down.
Think before you act.

Hold your taters in all of life.

In work or play
Alone or with others

Hurrying or skipping one thing so you can begin another rarely works.

Instead:

Take a deep breath.
Complete step one before you take step two.

“It is dangerous and sinful to rush into the unknown” (Proverbs 19:2 TLB).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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

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Don’t Know If We’re Afoot or on Horseback

August 17, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Often caregivers don’t know if we’re afoot or on horseback. We are spread so thin, we meet ourselves coming or going. However, we are not alone. That happens to many people.

When we don’t know if we’re afoot or on horseback, we don’t know what we’re doing.

We are so confused we can’t remember:

What we have done
What we are doing now
What we need to do next

We lose our sense of direction and awareness of our actions.

Not knowing if we are afoot or on horseback often results from feeling overwhelmed.

Causes include:

Overwork
Exhaustion
Too many irons in the fire

Too much to do and too little time leave us bumfuzzled.

A day away does our bodies and minds good.

Whether we sit, walk, or ride, we need to rest and relax. A trip through the countryside refreshes and restores me. What helps you?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Thanks to Lori Carol Maloy for the suggestion.

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

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Cooking with Gas

August 10, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

One of my husband’s caregivers and I were dealing with a difficult situation. When we finally had everything working well, she said, “Now we’re cooking with gas!” That was a new expression for me.

This saying originated when gas stoves began replacing wood burning stoves.

My caregiver friend explained that gas stoves were considered a wonderful invention. Although wood burning stoves made delicious meals, they required hours of work.

Chopping wood
Starting a fire
Deciding when to start cooking
Wiping sweat during hot summer months
Cleaning ashes from the stove after cooking

Plus, cooking temperatures were hard to control.

Gas stoves were easier to use and resulted in fewer mistakes.

Cooks were more likely to achieve the results they desired. My mom loved her gas stove.

Cooking with gas means we achieve success.

Like a cook who prepares a gourmet meal or bakes a perfect cake, we get something right.

We successfully:

Solve a problem.
Correct an error.
Receive a promotion.

We do our work well.

If we are cooking with gas, people may think we work wonders.

Whether we create perfect meals or the perfect ball team, those who share our success love it.

Whatever we do, let’s encourage one another to do our best.

If we want to take the cake, we can’t use half-baked ideas. Neither can we do half-baked work.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8 NIV).

Thanks to J.D. Wininger and Rita Smalley for the suggestion.

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

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