Thursday, June 4, 2015

IF ONLY...



Today is Tuesday...and that means it is time to link up with Karen for Tuesday @ Ten!  Once Karen has posted the prompt phrase, we have six days to get ours posted...

This week's prompt phrase is:

IF ONLY...

So, when I first read this prompt...

My mind immediately went to some of the "if only's" that I could share...

You know, the "if only" I had done THIS instead of THAT; or, "if only" I had not done THIS instead of THAT!

Where would I be?

What would I be doing with my life?

Would I be happy?  Any happier than I am now?

Would I...
But, wait!  


That is not the way this post is going to be written!  Because of the words I read from someone else's blog, I have been thinking about this "if only" a bit more; and want to share a different thought!

This writer has inspired me from the first post I ever read; and continues to inspire me with his words.  {Read his "If Only" post here}.  He is an amazing man, dealing with something that would bring a lot of us down!


What really hit home for me was this:


"WHAT IF" = INGRATITUDE


I am where I am now because of the choices I made;

and I am where I am now because God knows this is where I need to be!


Now, I am sure I haven't always followed the path He had set for me; but he has used those path changes for His plans for my life!

I heard it put this way the other day - and am sorry I do not remember who said it.  I do know it was a football player that was being honored; therefore, the "football" reference!  What he said was something like this:
  

"God does not need football; but he uses football for his purpose.  God does not need whatever it is that you are doing; but he uses whatever you are doing for his purpose."


If I look back with regrets - "IF ONLYs" - then, that means I am not grateful for what I DO have!  It means I am not grateful for what God has given me...

And, even if I do have regrets because of something I did or did not do, I know that He is still using me for the plans He has set forth.

No, I don't think I will look at the "if onlys"!  I think I want to say: "Thank you, God, for the life you have given me!"

And continue down that path, doing the best I can to follow his guidance.




What are your thoughts?  I am excited to read what everyone else has written!

Thank you, Karen, for making us think!!





8 comments:

  1. What a great way to look at the if only's. I like where you went with this. Visiting from Tuesday at 10. You already posted at mine.

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    1. Thanks, Tessa! I love these prompted posts because we all have so much different ways of looking at them - yet, so much the same!!

      Appreciate your reading and commenting!

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  2. I've also been impressed with the post you mentioned, where the writer says 'if only' equals ingratitude.
    I have to confess I've said 'if only' so many times... If I avoided using that phrase, I would truly learn to live in the present, accepting the past, and entrusting the future to God.

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    1. Romi, I feel we have ALL said "if only" so many times!! And, yes, we would be able to live in the present and accept our past - whatever that may have been! Trusting God with our future!!

      Thank you for reading and commenting!

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  3. You said this beautifully, Barbara, and I loved the football reference (though I might have used rugby!).

    And...thank you.

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    1. Wish I could have remembered who that football player was/is! I can't even remember WHERE I read it...I did try searching but just didn't have enough info to find anything!

      Thanks for reading and commenting...and, you are welcome!!

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  4. Beautiful post. I love the thought that saying "what if" is essentially saying we are not thankful for where we are right now.

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    1. Thank you Stacey...appreciate your reading and commenting!

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Thank you for stopping by to read my post today! I appreciate your reading and commenting - your comments are a welcome encouragement for me to continue one of my favorite things - writing!

You are special to me; and your words help in more ways than I can number...Thank you just isn't enough!