Tuesday, February 5, 2008

What If?

I was talking to Britney about this the other day and he said I should blog about it. If you're bored - blame him :)

Do you ever ask that question - what if? What if I fail? What if this doesn't work? What if you move to Minnesota and hate it? What if I make the wrong decision?

There have been so many times I've seen people paralyzed by this. They have to control everything in their lives and by not being "sure" of something, it keeps them from following what the Lord is telling them. Drives me crazy!

If you know me well at all, you know that I am not a worrier and that I have little or no patience for people who are. I think there are a couple of reasons for this. (Not that I'm saying it's right not to have patience - just want to let you know where I'm coming from if you're ever on the receiving end of my impatience...)

When I was in second grade, my teacher, Miss Cantrell, told us that we were not allowed to ask the question What If? I remember being freaked out about that because as a child I worried about EVERYTHING! My thoughts after she told us that were things like what if there is a fire in our classroom - how will we get out? A little dramatic for a 7 year old, I think.

But, Miss C's words have always stuck with me. It probably doesn't hurt that one of my spiritual gifts is faith either. And that my parents were pretty good models of having faith in the Lord to meet your needs.

I'm not saying throw caution to the wind and do whatever the heck you want. I'm just saying the next time you feel led in a certain way, pray about it and if you truly feel like God is leading you there - FOLLOW HIM! Even if you fail and fall flat on your face, at least you can say you had the courage to try and follow Him. I know I don't want to get to heaven and get asked why I didn't trust Him to lead me through life.

And, if you need encouragement or someone to pray for you when you're going through that - call me!

4 comments:

Judy & Marvin said...

Great blog today Lara!! Miss Cantrell will be glad that she taught you something so profound that it has stayed with you through all these years. You are right, when God leads, FOLLOW. He will use every situation to teach you something whether you fail or succeed. All things work together for good to those who believe. "Have faith", that's what it's all about!!
I love you,
Mom

Anonymous said...

Lara - Ok so we need to talk! I will call you this week!!!! Talk about God sending me way too many signs to ignore :) Too long to get into here - plus want to keep it on the QT

Also thought about you today b/c it was 72 here today this afternoon. It is February right? Granted I don't want it to be 1 or anything but come on can't we have some winter!!!!:) So we pulled out the shorts and ate dinner at Burger King!

Thanks for preaching to me in your blog! You rock!
April

Anonymous said...

You go preacher girl! = ) Good word of encouragement. Stand tall and Climb On! God's got you!

Love you!

E

Robin said...

I think I needed to hear that one too. I am still praying to see what happens. Thanks.