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
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!!
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.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tessa! I love these prompted posts because we all have so much different ways of looking at them - yet, so much the same!!
DeleteAppreciate your reading and commenting!
I've also been impressed with the post you mentioned, where the writer says 'if only' equals ingratitude.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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!!
DeleteThank you for reading and commenting!
You said this beautifully, Barbara, and I loved the football reference (though I might have used rugby!).
ReplyDeleteAnd...thank you.
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!
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting...and, you are welcome!!
Beautiful post. I love the thought that saying "what if" is essentially saying we are not thankful for where we are right now.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stacey...appreciate your reading and commenting!
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