Getting Down To The Nitty Gritty

I’ve heard this phrase used several times recently… One dictionary definition: ‘If people get down to the nitty-gritty of a matter, situation, or activity, they discuss the most important, basic parts of it or facts about it.’

I’ve been reading about ancient Jewish sacrifices… If you broke the Jewish law it might have been accidentally; there may have been extenuating circumstances… Getting down to the nitty gritty… you were responsible; you were accountable for your words and actions..

A white card has been issued for the first time in a football match. For many years yellow and red cards have been used to discipline players for misconduct. In Portugal they’ve introduced a white card that recognises and praises acts of fair play.

Getting down to the nitty gritty… in sport at all levels there’s aggressive, ill-disciplined players that break the rules and can endanger others… there are also good sportsmen/sportswomen competing with courage, loyalty and fairness.  

Dave was chatting about his wife Jo: ‘I’m watching a programme on TV… she lets me know that ‘we’ don’t want to watch that programme…’ He laughed: ‘I’m glad she puts me right.’ He often jokes about Jo…

Jo’s recently been in hospital. Dave said, ‘I’d thought I’d gone deaf – the house was so quiet.’ Fortunately Jo’s getting better; she’s back home recovering. ‘I know she’s better – she’s moaning at me. She moans at me every time she gets up. The trouble is she has to have regular naps – so she gets up several times each day…’

For all his brashness, jokes and complaints… getting down to the nitty gritty… Dave loves Jo; he’s really pleased she’s getting better.

Getting down to the nitty gritty the cup is broken… once the brokenness is accepted then something beautiful can be created…

Musing… Getting down to the nitty gritty… accepting responsibility for my words and actions… recognising both red/yellow card bad and white card good… seeing love through everything… accepting brokenness and re-making something beautiful.