IF

Have you ever stopped to think about what a powerful word that is; if? It’s only 2 letters and yet it can change so many things. I have been riding a lot and thinking about so many different things while I ride. I finally have my car back from the shop, but I got so used to riding the bike everywhere, that I have just continued to use it as my main transportation. As a matter of fact the first time I used the car to run errands I actually felt a bit claustrophobic.

Twice in the past 4 days, IF I had been driving my car instead of my bike I would have been hit head on! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it did not happen due to the grace of God and the fact I was on my bike. Being on the bike I was able to get to the far side of my lane and not be hit, and due to the grace of God He allowed me to remain calm enough to handle it. The first episode was Saturday on my way to my son’s when a truck pulling a utility trailer was way over on my side of the road and he alone never got over far enough to have saved me IF I had been in my car. The other time was today when a new SUV with those big tires was literally flying right at me in my lane and headed straight for me. Again, with God’s help and being on the bike, I was able to get out of the way of yet another driver that was not paying attention. This time was a much closer call and I’ll be honest, as soon as I was able to get to a place where it was safe to pull off the road and gather myself I did exactly that, after thanking God for his protection of course. I believe I have mentioned before that I pray before I ride every time I get on the bike. I will also be doing that every time I get behind the wheel in any vehicle from now on.

I have ridden on some new to me roads and some old roads. I have done some “smooth sailing” rides on main roads as well as some thought provoking pay extra attention roads full of twists and turns. What IF I never started riding? IF I didn’t learn to ride, I would have missed some beautiful scenery and I would have missed out on a lot of conversations with God. I would not now have that “quiet” place where I can talk to Him and hear from Him uninterrupted. (Except when I’m interrupted by crazy drivers that want my side of the road). I also would not have discovered a place this past week-end that was actually someplace my hubby and I had gone walking once when we dated and I could never remember where it was. I found it by accident but it was great, and brought back wonderful memories.

I have thought about other things while riding, like a friend who has been slowly watching her husband die from what started out as diabetes and today claimed his life on earth. IF she did not have a strong faith in God and His plan, she would be handling this very differently than she is. IF she did not have this faith, literally thousands of people would not have witnessed their love for each other or for their Lord.

I have thought about the fact that some people just plain can get on my nerves. But IF that was not the case, then I would not learn how to deal with people’s differences. This would be a boring place IF we were all the same. When other people or our job or situations annoy us, we can let it bring us down or we can use it to grow and rise above it. IF we didn’t have difficulties to go through, we would become stagnant and we would not rely on God the way we need to. Let’s face it, when things are going along smoothly it’s easy to forget to stop and thank Him for the good times. I’ve seen many times when someone has said, what IF I only have the things today that I thanked God for yesterday? What would any of us have right now IF that were true?

I am not a political person and I will not get into discussions about politics. I choose not to watch the news or get sucked into believing everything I read. I figure God already knows what tomorrow holds and my knowing about it or not, will not change the outcome. I choose to put my life in His hands and see what He has in store.

What IF people stopped listening to the media and reacting to everything they see and hear?

What IF we just loved each other for who we are and stopped thinking we are owed something?

What IF we stopped having our feelings hurt every time someone disagrees with us?

The list of “what ifs” could go on forever.

Today instead of saying what IF, I say thank you Lord for sparing my life again and thank you for loving me enough to send your Son to die on the cross for my sins!

IF I never have another “rambling”, I pray that I have touched just 1 person with those I have had so far. IF not, I know it has at least helped me to try to be a better person than I was yesterday and forced me to see things at least a little bit differently.

Psalm 91:14-16 NIV

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.