"IF" could be the abbreviation for "Imagine..." It opens the gateway for our minds to run amok.
Can you fathom what our world would be like had just one thing gone differently?
One tiny moment in history. One decision. One hesitation. One sentence...
Adam hadn't asked Eve, "What's for dinner?"
IF animals could still talk? (Yes, many theologians believe the animals could talk in the Garden of Eden. Eve wasn't surprised at all when the serpent spoke.)
IF the Mayflower sank?
IF the South won the War Between the States?
If Lincoln hadnt gone to Ford's Theater?
If Germany won WWI?
If you had actually married your kindergarten sweetheart?
It's Memorial Day weekend. (Other nations call it Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.) Hundreds of thousands of women and children have wondered how different their lives would be IF their beloved one hadn't paid the ultimate price for our freedom. My deepest thanks and most sincere thanks for your sacrifice. 
I do know we would all be lost had Jesus not paid the ultimate price to redeem us. Because of Him, we are free from sin. Because of warriors, we are free to speak as we think and worship as we wish.
IF I'm going to honor those gifts, it means I need to speak more thoughtfully and worship with sheer abandon.
If we all did, what kind of world would this be?
And I'd like to share a German saying: "Life has one ending; only a sausage has two."
But since it's Memorial Day Weekend, and we have hot dogs on the grill, let's pretend we can look back or imagine an alternative. We'll have a little fun and enjoy the second possiblility.
Please, add to the "What IF?" list. I'd love to know where your minds wander when you get to imagine anything and everything!
Love,
Cathy
WOW, Cathy!! Very thought-inspiring post today, friend. ~ On a very serious note, I can't help wondering...What IF 9/11 hadn't happened the way it did that day, and all those innocent people didn't perish? ~ ~ But on a much-lighter note, I like to wonder...What IF all those silly squirrels I feed on my deck each day could talk?? Sometimes they come close to my back door and appear to be gazing through the glass panes, LOL. Please don't think I'm NUTS for wondering this (yes, had to get in a pun*wink*) but they do show a lot of personality (chasing each other, doing acrobats on my deck railing, etc.). ~ Thanks for sharing this post today, Cath--and may we all remember our brave Military--past and present. Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDeleteYes, Patti Jo, IF that one day hadn't happened.... what a different world this would be!
ReplyDeleteOur very first squirrel appeared in the yard this past month! The dogs are crazy over it. The little guy is hilarious.
We don't have any feeders out--but in hearing how you love watching the critters, I went to You Tube and laughed myself silly over Cirque du Squirrel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvsAYH5RqJY
Amazing, stubborn, resilient things, aren't they?
Cath
We only need read Leviticus to see just how blessed we are. I can't imagine IF we had to follow those hundreds of laws. Jesus's love is so much easier to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteTracie
I was thinking what IF I hadn't read Coleen Coble's book 'Lonestar Sanctuary' I would never be blogging ... this may or may not be a good thing, depending on your perspective.
ReplyDeleteIt's such fun to see what you all talk about; but I'm discovering that you all know each other REALLY well, and I'm feeling slightly 'fish out of waterish'.
I, too, would like to echo the thanks to the military families mentioned today.
Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. =D
Mary-Louise, PLEASE don't feel like a fish out of water here!! You are certainly welcome, which is another awesome thing about Writes of Passage--these ladies are not only amazing authors, but they're all VERY kind and caring. It's funny, because I visit other blogs too that I really like, but THIS blog is super-special--like a "sisterhood"! So please keep joining in. ~ Blessings from Georgia, Patti Jo (who has LOVED this blog since the very first post, LOL)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Cathy. And welcome, Mary-Louise! I LOVED Lonestar Sanctuary. Cool that it got you started blogging. What's your blog so we can visit?
ReplyDeleteMary Louise, I was a late-comer to this blog. It used to be a M-F thing, and Robin graciously tacked me on as the weekend warrior.
ReplyDeleteYou already fit in, dearheart! Patti Jo and I go by a two-name thing, so we needed a third musketeer! We were waiting for you!
As for this group--the whole attitude here has been one of sisterhood. We want to pray together, laugh together, talk--and it's all a celebration of the Father who saved us.
You'll notice how many of our entries are openly conversational. I know these other writers--we've met at conferences, gone on book tours, and a deep, loving respect has flourished. With full confidence that I am voicing this for the other five authors, WE CARE. We care about each of people who read our books and come to this blog. We ask your opinions, your thoughts, and seek to support you in prayer.
Jump in! Robin and I will catch you. Since we've both broken our ankles recently, we'll be extra careful to help you land safely on your feet.
Big hugs,
Cathy Marie AKA Cathy the Klutz
Thanks, gals. That is so sweet of you.
ReplyDeleteThis blog site is like getting a present every day. I'm loving it.
My blog - which is rather morose at the moment because our government officials are trying to pass some rather controversial legislation - is:
mary(dash)louise(dash)thoughtsfortheday(dot)blogspot(dot)ca
PS: Laughed my way through 'Fancy Pants' BTW, Cathy, and am on my way to get 'Serendipity'.
ReplyDeleteIF ONLY.... our nation would humble itself and call on God! Mary Louise, the political scene is enough to make a saint spit bullets!
ReplyDeleteI made a promise I need to keep, so I'll come back to the computer later and visit your blog!
Cath
IF- printing presses and ink had never been invented. Oh the horror!
ReplyDeleteno printing presses or ink? That thought is so terrifying, I can't wrap my mind around it. The whole course of history would be altered---and not for the better.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it, freddikb--oh, the horror!
Cath