In third grade I remember
asking a question repeatedly on a daily basis:
“What if. . .?” The teacher,
annoyed I am sure, answered to her best ability. I voiced concerns, fears and desired answers
to every scenario through those two simple words. Eventually the teacher ran out of answers and
simply said, “Quit asking what if?”
Then, to solidify the quit asking idea, we had a play that year with a theme
pertaining to always asking questions.
Continuously throughout the play a statement spat at the main character
(who always asked questions): “Stop
asking questions, you are always asking questions all day long.”
Although I did not play the
main role that day, I did ask questions in life all day long. See, I am one who desires an answer to
everything. Why did this happen? What can I do to fix a problem? When will this be over? Where do I go from here? How could this be prevented?
Good questions; but, without solidified
answers. Life cannot be predicted. .
.only trusted into the Hands of our Creator.
Wish I would have realized such at a younger age.
Today, I ask that famous question
in order to confirm purpose. “What if. .
.?”
A particularly dark day comes
to mind when contemplating such powerful words.
My world flipped upside down around age 15. I was trucking right along with friends, an
amazing boyfriend (hottest guy in the school – now married to him), a place on
the basketball team and complete family at home. Abruptly life changed and my mind could not
cope.
The dark day comes quite a few
years later after much time spent surviving on life’s roller coaster. One small break in all the twists and turns
of life brought a thought of exiting the ride: a way to remove myself from such sickening
spins, crazy curves and dreadful dips. I
sat still, the world stopped and in that moment removing myself seemed the
better decision. . .
I don’t remember much from the
evening.
As I recall such an evening
now, I ask, “What if. . .?”
What if my plan superseded? What if I had a stronger method? What if my mom had to work later that
day? What if. . .
In this situation the question
does not stem from fear. In this
situation the question holds a deeper meaning.
The answers stare me in the face on a daily basis (literally). The answer comes in four simple words: I would have missed. . .
Meeting Jesus at the Cross in
surrender at age 27.
Marrying my best friend.
Holding my children.
Serving God in a realm of
positions.
Just to name a few. . .
In the thicket of life, the
mountain in front of us blocks the sunshine on the other side. Our eyes cannot see a way over, around or
through such a time. We need help! That is why God created you and me. We are to shine light onto other’s situations
to help them through and into the sunshine.
The struggle is real. The roller coaster does not stop when pain
strikes. The mountain does not move
without help. Be that hand to someone
else today. If you need a hand, simply
open up your clenched fist and speak one name. . .Jesus! He will lead others to you to help in such a
dark moment.
I am here and confident that
God placed me as a vessel to take such a past and turn to good. Doing so deadens the grip Satan tries to have
on my life. I pray this story helps
someone, motivates most and provides a light to all!
With Love
Sheree Craig
Live life. . .One Day at a Time
