Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[perspectives]

Hi,

When I was watching some film the other day, I heard one of the characters say: "God has his moments." Literally, it means that God has his short periods of time, right? But what does it mean actually? Does it mean that God sometimes will not be able to take care of everything without fault? That he occassionally missed His hand?

Thank you for your help!

[pugachevV]

It means that some things about God (or Religion) are good.

[perspectives]

Hi, pugachevV,

Thank you for answering my question. But, could you please give me some specific examples to make me understand the context by using that phrase? Thank you again.

[pugachevV]

Bill is not a very good golfer, but he has his moments.
Means, he occasionally makes some excellent shots.

Anyone who is generally average, mediocre, or even downright bad at something, can have their moments. i.e. occasions when they rise above their usual standards.

[perspectives]

Thanks, again, pugachevV.

The context in which I heard that phrase was about a boy who is in some way having difficulties communicating with people, and who is always bullied by his peers. The narrator related that although some might lose something but would get something as well; however, the boy in question was not lucky, just right at that moment, the narrator popped out :" God has his moments." I assumed that the meaning is God, though almighty, does sometimes slip his hand while making perfection. Was I totally wrong? Hopefully, my writing makes sense to you.

The line is from the movie, That's What I am.

Here are some clues to that line: (from http://vq888.com/et_doc/That/'s_what_I_am-e.txt)

Big G had a head of flaming red
No, make that orange hair
The G stood for ginger
A derogatory term for redheads
Big G was easily a foot taller than anyone else in the school
Even so, his head was still too big for his body.
And his ears too big for his head.
One might think in order to compensate..
Big G might have been blessed with a handsome face.
After all, Clark Gable had big ears.
Lucille Ball had orange hair, yet for them, there was compensation.
Not so for Big G.
.
.
.
Did I say children were cruel?
Apparently, even God has his moments.

So, is it ok to interpret this phrase as 'God, though almighty, could slip his hand sometimes"?

Thanks very much again

[pugachevV]

In the context you have given, it means that God, who is usually (according to those who believe in him) perfect, has had a BAD moment. This boy has no redeeming features. So, I ought to have mentioned that it can also mean that someone who is very good at something can have his bad moments .
I would also add that Ginger is a common nickname for red-headed boys and men, in UK. I would not consider it an insult.

So, your suggestion, that even God slips up sometimes, is correct.

[perspectives]

Thank you, pugacheV, for clarifying the point. Thanks!