No Cuffing Here

Many like myself find it a task keeping up with the common slangs that evolve around us time after time. Cuffing is one that caught my attention recently. It is a term based on the idea of getting “handcuffed” or tied down to one person. The Urban dictionary defines the cuffing season as the ‘season in which everyone is getting coupled up usually around when the weather is beginning to change and it is getting cold outside‘. It is said to be somewhere between the months of September through February. The idea is to have a body to keep you warm and keep your company even though you wouldn’t normally be interested in a committed relationship. In essence, it’s a hook-up with no thought of permanence.

In high school this was common near the time of our school fair. I think that was somewhere near February. Those of you from my high school group who may read this will remember quite well. Every young man then wanted a girlfriend because he didn’t want to be alone at the fair. My suitor one year was Dwight A. His friends bombarded me with reasons why I should hook up with him. I did and it didn’t even last a month. My friend Dorothy thought I was so mean. I told her to go comfort him – she did. They lasted for a few months or so. Even as a teenager I couldn’t do casual meaningless partnerships. No cuffing here!

These quick fixes are a poor alternative for purposeful connections. Quite often someone is left feeling empty or used. It is not uncommon for the initiator or pursuer to be looking for a sedative to quiet his or her own pain or loneliness for a season. Hence someone will get the shorter end of the stick, eventually conflicts arise. Though we are looking at this within the context of dating or relationships, I think this is quite applicable to things too. We often indulge in things that are futile and pointless just trying to fill a void. At the end of the day we find that time, energy, and resources were wasted. We eventually walk away questioning our sanity.

As we walk into the new year, it may be a good time to begin evaluating the things and people we allow to occupy our hearts and minds. We are valuable and our time is precious. I encourage us to do some serious self examination and stock taking. Are we misaligned with things and people that consistently prevent us from walking into the fullness of our destiny? Taking time to understand our assignment is vital. This is where we determine who and what is necessary to take with us on the journey towards completing each assignment. As you do some inventory this year end, find out if you may need to ‘un-cuff’. I’ll do the same. Let’s do a meaningful and purposeful walk this year!

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2