Forever Blooming with Jesus: Turning Everyday Idioms into Daily Devotions

Copyright © 2024 Kimberly Huff Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973,1978,1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION ®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked ESV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publisher. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-3556-4 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-3557-1 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-3558-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024921091

WestBow Press rev. date:  10/09/2024

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

A CHANGE OF HEART

MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT

HOLD THAT THOUGHT

KNOW LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND

NO USE CRYING OVER SPILLED MILK

RESTING ON YOUR LAURELS

THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER

SMART AS A WHIP

LIKE PULLING HEN’S TEETH

WARTS AND ALL

CALLED ON THE CARPET

LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE

PUT TO THE TEST

SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES

SMOOTH AS SILK

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE

GOT MY HEART SET ON …

BACKED INTO A CORNER

NO SHRINKING VIOLET

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM

BEATING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

A BUNDLE OF NERVES

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

FROM HERE TO KINGDOM COME

TYING THE KNOT

FREE AS A BIRD

NO SKIN OFF MY TEETH

SIX TO ONE-HALF DOZEN TO THE OTHER

THAT’S JUST PEACHY

A WILD GOOSE CHASE

MY NECK OF THE WOODS

HAVE THEM EATING OUT OF THE PALMS OF YOUR HANDS

MAKE A CLEAN BREAK

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

LYING THROUGH YOUR TEETH

A BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT

WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE

IN THE SAME BOAT

NO RHYME NOR REASON

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

RISK LIFE AND LIMB

DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND

NIP IT IN THE BUD

IRON SHARPENS IRON

WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY

PRIDE GOES BEFORE THE FALL

A FLY IN THE OINTMENT

RUNNING AROUND LIKE A CHICKEN WITH ITS HEAD CUT OFF

LIKE TRYIN’ TO SCRATCH YOUR EAR WITH YOUR ELBOW

I LOVE YOU TO DEATH

GOT THE PATIENCE OF JOB

A FOOT IN THE DOOR

EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORNS

JOG YOUR MEMORY

THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER

LEARNING THE ROPES

SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY

RAIN ON MY PARADE

BUILDING CASTLES IN THE AIR

BREAKNECK PACE

GILD THE LILY

IN TOO DEEP

MAKE A NAME FOR YOURSELF

CHANGE YOUR TUNE

BEING PIGEONHOLED

GIRD YOUR LOINS

THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE

WOULDN’T DREAM OF DOING

HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE

AS EMPTY AS A PAUPER’S PURSE

DIG IN YOUR HEELS

STAY IN YOUR LANE

CALL IT A DAY

THAT TAKES THE CAKE

HAVE THE WIND KNOCKED OUT OF YOUR SAILS

HAVE BIG SHOES TO FILL

THAT’S MUSIC TO MY EARS

IN STRIKING DISTANCE

SKATING ON THIN ICE

NO LOVE LOST

A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

NOT MY CUP OF TEA

PICK YOUR BRAIN

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY

GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW

PEACE AND QUIET

THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK

PASS THE BUCK

OF ALL THE GALL

BUNDLE OF JOY

SNATCHED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH

HANG YOU OUT TO DRY

DRIFT WITH THE TIDE

SEE IN A NEW LIGHT

GETTING COLD FEET

MANNA FROM HEAVEN

FIT AS A FIDDLE

POUR SALT IN THE WOUND

BE STILL MY BEATING HEART

SPLIT THE BABY

GO HOG WILD

ALL BARK AND NO BITE

STICKS TO YOUR RIBS

WAITING FOR THE DUST TO SETTLE

DWELLING ON THE PAST

CLINGING TO THE VINE

EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSES

OUTFOX THE FOX

TOUGHER THAN A PINE KNOT

A FEATHER IN YOUR CAP

DOWN IN THE MOUTH

JUMP THE GUN

BY THE BOOK

STICK YOUR NECK OUT

ADD INSULT TO INJURY

TOOT YOUR OWN HORN

A JOY TO BEHOLD

YOU DON’T HAVE PRAYER

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

GETTING THE COLD SHOULDER

RIGHT AS RAIN

A PIPE DREAM

BOUND AND DETERMINED

BEAR YOUR CROSS

FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS

CUP HALF EMPTY

A GOOD EGG

RISE TO THE OCCASION

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

THROWN A CURVE BALL

YOU HUNG THE MOON

DON’T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON

A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CAN’T STAND

GOT YOUR WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU

CAUGHT OFF GUARD

CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH

CHASING YOUR TAIL

PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

OPEN THE FLOODGATES OF HEAVEN

CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT

LIKE WRESTLING A GREASED PIG

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES

RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE

WORD OF HONOR

TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

SEE HOW IT ALL PANS OUT

NERVES OF STEEL

FACE THE MUSIC

PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

SOMETHING HANGING OVER YOUR HEAD

MAKE A BEELINE

THE END OF THE LINE

BEYOND A SHADOW OF DOUBT

RISE FROM THE ASHES

ON THE ROCKS

BRICK BY BRICK

THICK-SKINNED

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

OOPS-A-DAISY

GROW IN GRACE

A FOX IN THE HENHOUSE

ROCK THE BOAT

A CLOSE CALL

HOLD UP YOUR END OF THE BARGAIN

BUSTING MY CHOPS

THROWN A LIFELINE

GOT TOO BIG FOR YOUR BRITCHES

NOT WORTH A HILL OF BEANS

STEP UP TO THE PLATE

‘TIL THE COWS COME HOME

PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH

AT YOUR BECK AND CALL

A WANDERING EYE

IN LIKE FLINT

NO REST FOR THE WEARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

REFERENCES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my

Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ

because this

is the evidence of

the transforming power

of the Holy Spirit.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and your plans will succeed."

Proverbs 16:3

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we

profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Hebrews 10:23

A CHANGE OF HEART

A Change of heart means to have shifted from one opinion or attitude to another which is usually done rather quickly. Some speculate this comes from the Scripture regarding the transformation of one’s heart when we become a believer.

Sometimes, I think we write someone off because in our minds we know they’ll never change. But God never gave up on us so we can’t give up on others. It reminds me of a story I heard about a preacher who was urged to witness to a man he knew was an Atheist. Although the preacher was trepidatious, he was obedient to the Lord and witnessed to this man. His reception was just as he had feared with his words falling on deaf ears. Years later a man shook the preachers hand and said, You don’t know me, but I was in an adjoining office when you stopped by to witness to my boss. Your words pierced my heart and now my whole family believes. We never know how the Lord is going to use us so it’s important not to squelch the Spirit when we’re prompted.

I think one of the more notable people in the Bible to have a change of heart is Paul, who was a Pharisee and his mission was to guard Israel against false religions. When Christians began to convert the Jewish people, he felt like it was his responsibility to intervene. He thought he was doing God’s work to protect the old covenant. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, this man, whose life’s ambition was persecuting Christians, changed into a man after God’s own heart.

Despite our best attempts, we’ll never fully comprehend God’s plan for our lives, but we don’t have to. All we have to do is unswervingly believe and know God always has our best interest at heart.

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and

good news gives health to the bones."

Proverbs 15:30

MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT

Make no bones about it means to find no problems or obstacles in any given situation. This expression derived from soup made without bones which was good and easy to eat.

When our youngest daughter was an infant, if she woke during the night, I would rush in to feed her so she wouldn’t wake up the whole house. One night I grabbed her before heading down the stairs and about midway down, my foot slipped which caused me to bounce the rest of the way before landing in a heap in the foyer. My husband heard the commotion and rushed to help me when he too slipped halfway down, landing beside me. Miraculously, I had cradled our baby in my arms during the fall so she was unharmed. As we looked up, all three of our older children were leaning over the railing asking us what we were doing?

As I slowly got up to see if anything was broken, fear rushed over me as I thought about what could have happened. I couldn’t stop crying from gratitude because only by the grace of God, our baby was safe and neither of us had a broken bone. God protected us.

This is life, one minute we’re fine and then the next we’re knocked on our rears, either literally or figuratively. Both will knock the breath out of us but when we’re brought to our knees, we can know with confidence God is there to pick us up.

Bones are referenced in the Bible to represent physical strength, which God provides giving us stability and structure. Bones are also used to describe spiritual health because our spirits are invigorated when we spend time with the Lord, giving us a strong posture representing God. So, make no bones about it, our God is good and He wants us to consistently have a grateful heart. He longs for us to dig into His Word so we’ll become an ambassador for Him.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither

are your ways my ways, declares the Lord."

Isaiah 55:8

HOLD THAT THOUGHT

Hold that thought is telling someone to remember what they were about to say because of a pause or an interruption in the conversation. This is figuratively holding your tongue to keep from speaking.

I’m not good at holding my thoughts because I’m afraid I’ll forget what I’m going to say. Grandma would say it must not have been too important if you can’t remember what you were going to say. She never minced words.

There are times, when we should hold that thought. If what we’re about to say isn’t positive or may be hurtful, maybe we should reconsider saying it. Self-control is exhibited when we guard our tongues and think about what we say before we say it. This is easier said than done, but we’re a representation of the Lord. God already knows what we’re thinking and the intention of our heart before we even act. So as believers, we have to guard our thoughts also.

Because we’re followers of Christ, we’ve been given an entirely different perspective about life and our purpose for being here. We now have a desire to please our Lord and bring others into the kingdom so we should always be mindful of what we say.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He was constantly up against opposition, but He continued to carry on with His ministry in spite of the criticism. Matthew 12:25 says, Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.’ As we seek the will of God in our lives, we grow towards being more Christ-like daily, both with our thoughts, and our actions.

Be still, and know that I am God;

Psalm 46:10

KNOW LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND

The meaning of know like the back of your hand is to really be familiar with something. The analogy is since our hands are right in front of us, we should know them pretty well.

It takes time to really get to know someone. Our personalities are layered like an onion but the more comfortable we get with someone, the more we grow to trust them so our layers are slowly peeled back. We’re made with the desire to find camaraderie with others but true relationships don’t happen overnight. Authentic friendships aren’t forced, they evolve because we’ve invested our time. We know one another beyond a superficial layer.

God desires for us to know Him also. He’s not someone we can physically see, yet we know He’s present and we can certainly tell when we’re apart from Him. To really know and understand the characteristics of God, we have to be willing to spend time with Him, through prayer and studying His Word. He speaks to us in a way which is difficult to articulate to others but for any of us who have experienced His unexplainable presence, we know who God is.

God has given us His Word for us to dig into so we can see His power and strength. We can know who He is and how much He loves us. We can learn about His compassion when we read the Old Testament and His relentless quest to bring His people back to Him. There’s comfort in knowing our God is the same today as He was yesterday and will be the same God tomorrow. He’s ever-present to give us direction as we navigate through this life just as He did so long ago.

We all know Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God; but it goes on to say, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. If we really want to know who God is and what He’s capable of doing in our life, we must dig into the Scriptures so we can know Him like the back of our hand.

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and

his ears are attentive to their cry;"

Psalm 34:15

NO USE CRYING OVER SPILLED MILK

No use crying over spilled milk is a proverbial saying which means not to dwell on what has happened and can’t be changed. This comes from the tears associated with milk being spilled.

We’ve all been there. The full glass of milk is spilt during dinner, running through the crack of the table and down the pedestal going absolutely everywhere. The tranquility of the meal has been abruptly disturbed and chaos ensues. I remember rushing to get towels to soak up the mess, consciously refraining from being upset with the clumsy child as tears were running down their face. I learned early on to never give my children more milk than I was willing to clean up because there’s no use in crying over spilled milk.

This is what moms do. We clean up the messes of life without giving it much thought. We go out of our way to make sure everyone is taken care of, it’s who we are. We’re usually the last one to sit down at the table, the last to go out the door, and the last to go to bed at night because we’re the caretakers.

Those days pass quickly but our children will forever leave their footprint on our heart. Grandma always said, Right now they’re stepping on your toes, but give ‘em time and they’ll be stomping on your heart. I really didn’t understand what she meant until I had children of my own, but I certainly do now. We love our children and want them to thrive to be the best they can be. I love 3 John 1:4 and the truth it delivers, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

"Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the

shiftless man goes hungry."

Proverbs 19:15

RESTING ON YOUR LAURELS

Resting on your laurels means to be content with past accomplishments so no further efforts are made; to be complacent. This dates back to ancient Greece when victorious Olympians were awarded a crown of laurel greenery.

Mama was put to work when she was fifteen at the local mill because she was caught smoking. She was told if she was old enough to smoke, she was old enough to work, so she developed a strong work ethic from an early age.

Thankfully we now have child labor laws but there’s a real issue when people refuse to work. A societal breakdown happens because businesses have a difficult time keeping adequate staff.

Scripture speaks very strongly against being lazy and idle. The Christian’s life-style should be characterized by being a hard worker so