The Core of Life - What If?

Two little letters of the four letter word may change your life – either for the Good or for the Bad. Have you ever considered the “I” and “F” of LIFE? It is a powerful thought to keep there all day. The “if” of Life – or L“if”e.

“If” has been the core of most major discoveries or inventions – by adding only one word to it – “What if…” I’ll bet you can think of at least 5 things immediately that you have created or done by simply adding “what” to “if”. But change that order and we demand more information – “If what…”

But add one more word to “if” and everything will go down hill for at least a day in your emotional life – by adding the word “only” behind the word “if”. “If only…” immediately expresses a deep regret. Dwelling on “if only” long enough can be very unhealthy and lead to some major personal problems.

Now change the order again of that last two word combination to “Only if…” requires some condition to be made.

I know, I know… I have too much time on my hands… and too much time alone in my busy garage. Hey… that is what happens “if you think”.

The “if” in your life may be the most important little tool you have. You can use it to direct a new life direction or allow it to destroy your direction. It is your and my choice.

Personal #1…
Four years ago Alida and I thought about the need for our community on the street we live on to come together. It came about after she had done some canvassing for one of the community fund raising groups. Through her door knocking she had met some great people that were very friendly.

She came home and asked a question she had been mulling over. “What if we had a Block Party in our driveway? If we tried this maybe everyone on our street could get to know each other better. If you and I worked with Larry & Linda(our neighbours next door) we could do it together. What do you think?”

She had used the word “if” three times and the deal was done.

Last evening we had about 30 guests showed up with their lawn chairs in our driveway. Each brought a “Twoonie” (A Canadian $2 coin) – plus a salad and or a dessert. We bought the burgers, the Soft Drinks and the coffee. It began at 6:00 PM and ended well after 8:30 PM.

Her “what if” paid off again. Last night neighbours that have lived here for over 40 years met people that have just moved in 4 months ago. The comical thing is that these two neighbours live right across the street from each other. The one couple had spent almost their whole summer at the cottage and missed the move in of the younger couple.

We shared stories and ideas and jokes and laughter and wonderful evening together.

Personal #2…
The other day things around me had gone a wee bit wrong. It was one of those kinds of days when “slump” would best describe most everything in my life.

A thought filtered through the haze of the day. “If only… I had not done or said that! If…only I had not made that decision!”

My whole body stopped doing what it was doing and the little thought festered from a small burning sensation to then become the size of a hot iron. Then it hung around for about an hour still very hot and sizzling. Suddenly I stopped what I was doing and sat there. I let the ‘iron hot thought’ brew some more as I considered all the people that were involved in my “If only…”. It was at that moment that the ‘iron hot thought’ went ‘whistling tea kettle’ mode. I slapped my hand on the table beside me. I was mad!

But …slowly a new thought bubbled up and replaced the mess that I was entertaining. The bubble was filled with ‘regret’. ‘Regret’ hung around until I went to bed that night….and it was there in the morning.

I walked outside and heard a small bird singing its heart out. A squirrel then jumped through the flowers and another followed – they were having a ball. A crazy crow laughed long and loudly above me in the tree.

My next statement that came from my mouth – out loud to myself – was plain and simple. “God – this is nuts. I can’t do a thing about what happened back then. I made a choice and now I move on. You are in control now. I was in control then and messed up. I give up the anger, the attitude and the regrets. Please sell all of them at your garage sale Lord. I am done with it.”

Then I giggled at the crow. I laugher out loud at the crazy squirrels. And seven other birds were now singing their hearts out.

It was a better day than the day before. I made a choice and moved on.

Does that really happen that way for you Murray? You betcha!

I hope that today – IF you are having a really crappy day… you can change the day IF you choose to. You are in control.

"What IF you did something about it today?"

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~