What If...

Man! those are powerful words. Depending on what you follow them with, these two little words can lead you into a whirlwind of fear and worry, filled with nightmarish scenarios. Or, they can provide you with a path to paradise. It’s all a matter of perspec­tive. It has been said that the world is like a battlefield where two wolves - light and darkness - fight for supremacy. The one that wins is the one you feed. What will you choose this Christmas?

What if... when I needed a friend, YOU gave me the best friend I could ever ask for.

What if... I long for a brother to stand with me, a champion to fight for me, a teacher to educate me, a mentor to hold me accountable when I falter, and a coach to lift me up, dust me off, and encourage me to get back in the game of life when I fail. And YOU were all of them and more. So much more.

What if... my heart felt so empty, so alone and longing for com­panionship that it filled me with an ache in the night so strong that it flooded my eyes with oceans of loneliness. And YOU filled that void with an unconditional, unwavering, never-ending LOVE of unimaginable depth, and breadth, and intensity.

What if… I doubted myself, my abilities, and my worthiness, and wondered if I even deserved to be happy. And YOU said, “You can do it. You have all the skills you need because you can do all things through ME. You are worthy because I am worthy, and you are MY CHILD, and don’t you EVER forget that! And yes, you will find happiness, for I know the plans I have for you, and they are glorious.”

What if… I was standing on the edge of the Abyss, ready to take the fall. And YOU, the Fisher of Men, cast your net and engulfed me. If You screamed into the darkness, “NO! This one’s MINE! You can’t have him!” And no matter how much I fought to get away, you never tired and kept pulling me in until you hauled me aboard and brought me home. And I LOVED YOU for it.

What if… when I was filled with doubt and needed guidance, YOU handed me the Handbook for Humanity – full of truths – to light my way.

What if… after spending a lifetime searching for purpose, the reason for my existence, the meaning behind this rudderless jour­ney I’ve experienced, YOU broadened my narrowed gauge to discover the answer was right here in front of me the whole time. Waiting patiently all around me, and IN me, and reflected in Your beautiful smiling face.

What if… when I needed a shoulder to cry on, YOU gave me an entire CROSS, to lay my burdens down.

What if… every time I spoke those two little words, I simply fol­lowed them with one more.

What if… JESUS!