For instance, Mark Phillips says he thinks of me when he feels called to reply to a situation with:
"That is SO not my problem."
Yep, that was me -- not one of my finer empathetic moments, obviously. You have to understand, though, that Mark and I were on a committee that was likened to the Bataan Death March (that was NOT me) and Mark saw more than a few of my not-so-finer moments. I don't remember what I was referring to at that moment, but my underlying sentiment was, "Just please let this project END!!"
"Bless 'em!"
This one I will claim because it can mean any one of a number of things, depending on my tone and body language. With an eye roll and exasperated sigh, it's generally, "If the person we are discussing actually has thought processes, I am not following them." With tears in my eyes and a hand clenched to my chest, it means, literally, "BLESS THEM, LORD!! How much heartache and agony is one person supposed to take!" With a laugh and headshake, it means, "I love those people so much and am glad God put them in my life!"
Last night I had the opportunity to chat with the wife of one of Troy's cousins. She and I get to visit about every 3-5 years, but we enjoy each other's company SO much. I was relaying a story to her that included a daddy not watching a kid very carefully, so I said, "You know, sometimes the dads don't pay very close attention." Very knowingly she agreed by only saying, "Bless 'em." We are truly kindred spirits.
I may yet poll the kids to ask them what they think I say most frequently, but tonight, Riley used something that is 100% mine (oh, I'm ducking in shame to admit this world-wide):
ASHLEY!! Use your common sense filter!!!
Now, Ashley's name isn't always the one SHOUTED at the beginning of that phrase (I generally try not to shout at all) but it's frequently a safe bet. She can be blonder than God made her. Bless 'er! :-) But anyone who said there are no stupid questions has never spent more than 4 hours in a car with an 8 year old and a 10 year old. I beg to differ.
A couple I have thought of or that have been pointed out to me today -- both exclamations of frustration, usually:
Good googly-moogly!
Jee-hosaphat!
I'm sure there are a few more phrases out there floating around that people attribute to me. Hopefully, using much grace. Obviously, 1 Peter 4:11 is a moment-by-moment challenge for me:
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.
