Apr. 15, 2007 - Hope and What If
"Whereas hope had returned only after I'd cornered him in the barn and extended an invitation, what if reached up out of the floorboards, threw his bags on the couch, and made himself at home without so much as a peep...And unlike hope, who was tidy and neat, what if was a slob, seldom cleaning up after himself...Polar opposites, hope never raised his voice, while what if never lowered his..."
-from Maggie by Charles Martin.
As I was reading the other day, this particular passage really struck me.
I recognized that I deal with my own battles between hope and what ifs. Do you experience those battles as well? Or am I just a glass half-empty girl?
My dad put in an offer on a condo in my town. I HOPE his living nearby will improve our relationship. But what if... What if it actually worsens?
Scott and I are going to a marriage conference this weekend. I HOPE it will help draw us closer to each other after a tough year. But what if ... What if we get home and we can't even tell we were at a conference?
Three years ago I was diagnosed with a painful neurological disorder. I HOPE the decrease in painful attacks this year means I'll beat the odds of it intensifying as time goes on, but what if... What if it does get worse and I can no longer function and be a wife and mommy?
I HOPE my friend who is battling cancer yet again lives long enough to see her two children hit ten years old, but what if ...What if she simply doesn't?
I know that living in a broken, fallen world, there are no escapes from bad news and hard times and pain. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have HOPE: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
In my battles beween hope and what if, sometimes what if seems to be more powerful. Yet I am not consumed. I trust Him even if my worst what if happens.
Comments
Apr. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by nsremom
you're such a great writer! I followed your logic and realized that I married a man like you. He's a what-if sortof guy and my God in His infinite wisdom paired him up with ME. The woman who doesn't deal in what-if's and worry's. I'm all about the nitty-gritty.
When the worry's come....it's God's Word and NOTHING else that gives me peace. It's the solid-truthful-apart from me-infinately deep-intense-powerful words that do it.
I've explained to another blogger that prayer isn't even the key for me. I pray and pray, but I also feel like my prayers are tainted.....with me! lol. But His word is not a part of me. His Word stands alone. It stands even if I don't read it. It stands even if I don't understand it.
phew. Isn't God cool to give us that?
I followed the link to your diagnosis. WOW, are you in pain often?
I should just email you....I think I am going to start blabbing.
Apr. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mycrazylife
Cindy Lou!
Oh my! How did I miss this about you? Oh, I can only imagine why you have what if's. But God is a big huge God, and He will see you through the storms. I know you know this, but I figured I would just confirm it for ya :) And the rest of the time...we pray. I will most certainly be praying for you! My sweet friend!
Love,
Hallie
Apr. 16, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>
Posted by debbiecorley
Hi! I was gone all weekend, so I'm playing catch up tonight.
I didn't make it to the taping last week, but I heard that it was wonderful. Lisa Whelchel was apparently there, too. Have you read any of her books? She's fun to read. I know she and Angela are friends, but I've never met her personally. She came to church one other time, but I was too shy to introduce myself. Silly, huh? Anyway, I hate that I missed it! Maybe another time we can do that together.
Neat post! Hope vs. what if...very interesting.
I read the link to your brain disorder. Yowsa! I am so sorry you have to endure that! I will be praying for you my sweet friend!
We have a dinner date with our high school pastor tommorrow night. So, shoot up a little prayer for us if you think of it.
Love,
Deb
Edited by debbiecorley on Apr. 16, 2007 at 7:22 PM
Apr. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 2peter318
I deal with "what ifs" more than I care to acknowledge. Some of them are down right scary, some are just strange, but all take my eyes off of the Lord and the hope I have in Him. It's something I have to give to the Lord constantly. So, no, you are not alone.
JoAnn
Apr. 16, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by chickadee
we can really get bogged down in all the what if's, can't we?
i'm so sorry to hear about your disorder. are you in pain every day?
Apr. 17, 2007 - Follow-up?
Posted by EEEEMommy
Looks like you're going to have to do a follow-up and fill us all in on the details of TN, how/when you were diagnosed, how it affects your life, how you survive.... Inquiring minds want to know! How many people can honestly say that they've experienced the worst pain known to man! In all seriousness, I'm glad to know so that I can pray for you!
As far as this post goes, it sounds like you need to frisk those thoughts, take 'em captive and replace them (whatsoever things are....). Romans 5 something is one of my favorite passages: perseverence, proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint because the love of God is poured out in our hearts....HOPE sister! Let go of the what ifs!
Apr. 17, 2007 - Hi~
Posted by ReviewsbyHeidi
I linked to your blog from I Should Be Folding Laundry~ I noticed a fellow Homeschool Blogger and thought I'd stop by.
This post was very touching~ really made me think~ thanks!
It's nice to meet you! Stop by my blog sometime.
Heidi
Apr. 17, 2007 - Wills of the what ifs
Posted by SJsMom
I hope that you always find peace knowing that the Lord is in control of all of the what ifs. And while results may not always be what WE want them to be, they are ALWAYS to the honor and glory of the Lord. I know I am guilty of not trusting the Lord in all I do all of the time, I pray we all are able to strengthen that trust and give ourselves completely to the will of our Father in Heaven, and glorify Him in doing so! =0)
Apr. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by PumpkinsMomma
hi, I am definitely like this, becasue I have a hard time trusting (part of a result from the abuse I had).
I want to believe and hope in things, but I know I can really only trust in God. I can hope for things to happen, but it might be setting myself up for disappointment. If something great happens I need to remember to praise God. If I get hurt I need to remind myself that God will help me through it . It's hard though!!!
Thanks for your post.
Also, thanks for the kind comments about my childhood. I do hope that this year will be a time of greater healing then I've had before....
And yes, I do use Bloglines - I have a subscribe button on my blog - in fact I just saw today that I have my first subscriber :) Maybe it's you???
I still have lots of blogs to catch up on after my vacation. gotta run!
marie
