Confession

“Confession is good for the soul” they say. It may be good for the soul, but when I was growing up it might not have been too good for my behind.  Or, at least, I feared it would not. 

     On a more serious note, confession is the best way to lift a burden off the heart. It is soul-cleansing! However, confession should be a two-step action; one followed by the asking of forgiveness.  

     Hopefully the one I confess to will be the forgiving kind. I know my God is One. I am so glad God cleanses me when I confess and when I ask for forgiveness.  My soul rejoices!

The Apple

     I have to acknowledge that “an apple a day may keep the doctor away.”  My husband has one every night. He is now 87 and going strong. I ensure his health by keeping the refrigerator stocked with sweet apples and by giving him lots of energy-burning “honey-do jobs.”

     Most people think of the apple as the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, but scripture never identifies the fruit. Therefore, I do not know what fruit was forbidden, but what I do know is that in Psalm 17, David says to God, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” And, this is what I want also. I want to be the apple of God’s eye and I want His protection in order to keep the evil one away. 

Words of Advise -Day 2

I have thoughts about another famous saying and good advice as follows:  

     I’ve heard often that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”  I worked in the business world long enough to know how true this can be. Take for instant, the persistent client who continually and consistently calls although I am busy with other things. That person is the one who gets priority if for no other reason than to stop the calls and interruptions.

     Even in scripture, Jesus told a parable about a judge who was continually bothered by a widow. She was “the squeaky wheel.” In the end, the judge met her demands. The parable was told to show how they should always pray and not give up. So keep on praying!

     “Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1

Not Can't But Can

Yesterday I wrote about Folklore and Sayings or Words of Wisdom.  I would like to enhance on one of them today.   

     My mother always told me, “Can’t never could do anything.” This was to instill in me a desire to at least try in order to be successful. I couldn’t just sit on my hands and expect rewards. 

      When I relate the phrase to God’s desire, I realize how true this saying can be here too. It is so easy to say, “I can’t” to God, but when I say “Yes” to God, I can. I remember how Jonah said “No” to God. He ran. He didn't want to, but when he finally said “Yes”, he could and he did. 

Folklore and Sayings (Words of Wisdom)

Folklore or old wives’ tales offer up a lot of interesting facts. Some are prone to be on target while others are just fun to remember and consider, for I have heard them all my life. Such as: 

 

• When the pecan tree buds out, a freezing frost.is over.

• If it thunders in February, it will frost in April. 

• If there is a ring around the moon, it will rain soon.

• If the cows are laying down, the fish will not bite.

• Wind from the East, fish bite the least, but wind from the West, fishing is best.

• If the kernel inside a persimmon seed is a fork shape, winter will be mild; if a spoon shape, winter will be snowy; if a knife shape, winter will cold and harsh.

 

Then there are the sayings my Dad, Mom, Grandparents, and/or friends repeated often, and they are actually words of wisdom. 

 

• Many hands make light work. 

• Never look a gift horse in the mouth. 

• People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

• Early to bed and early to rise makes a person, healthy, wealthy, and wise. 

• Any job worth doing is worth doing well. 

• The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

• Can’t never could do anything.

• The early bird catches the worm.

• Make hay while the sun shines.

• Strike while the iron is hot.

• Hurry up, we’re burning daylight.

• Don’t cry over spilled milk.

• One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

• You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

• Beggars can’t be choosers.

• This is not my first rodeo.

• You’re barking up the wrong tree.

• You’re a day late and a dollar short.

• It will all come out in the wash. 

• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. 

• A watched pot never boils.

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

• If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.

• Pretty is as pretty does. 

• Home is where the heart is. 

• Confession is good for the soul.

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• There is more than one way to skin a cat. 

• If it had been a snake, it would have bitten you.

• Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.

• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

• Birds of a feather stick together.

• It doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. 

 

And there are the old favored Southern saying I love: 

• Heavens to Betsy.

• Bless your heart.