This lovely thought comes from Mary Seehafer who was brave enough to share this with the office. With her permission, I have posted this here. I hope this helps some of you who are dealing with some "ifs" in your life. -Matt 

Today, I have been thinking about the word "if." It is such a small word, and by itself it really doesn't mean much. But if you put it with another word, it has a big meaning or effect on a person and their life.

When we are little, we often said, "If only I was older." "If only, I was older I could do things on my own; I could go where I wanted to go and not ask for permission." "If only I was 16, I could date, get a job and get my license." "If only I was 18, I could vote and go to college. I could be on my own." "If only I was 21, I could drink and go to the bars."

It seems even at an early age we are always looking for something else or to push our life to fastforward.

But as soon as 21 comes, the sentence changes to, "If only I didn't have so much responsibility." "If only I made a different decision." "If only I knew what was going to happen."  

We're always guessing and wondering or worrying about "if only" that sometimes it changes into "what if."

"What if." When we use "if" with "what," all of a sudden it becomes a big worry. "What if I don't get the job or into college?" "What if I don't get married or have children?" "What if I never have friends?"

It goes on and on worrying about "what if?" Even if that something may never happen, we still spend hours and hours worrying and wondering, "What if?" 

I remembered a movie I saw - Letters to Juliet. It is about a couple who were in love when they were young and were separated, living separate lives. One day, Juliet finds a letter that was written to her from her sweetheart. She answers the letter and writes all about the "if onlies" and "what ifs," imaging a life where they never got separated.

The movie made my thoughts go to Jesus. "If only I spent more time with Jesus when I was younger. What would have happened with my life? If only I spent more time praying, reading or even talking with Jesus. Would I have cried so many tears growing up? Would I have been able to bring people I knew to Christ?"

My thoughts were not limited to "if onlies" either. I had a few "what ifs" too! Many hours upon hours did I cry and worry about "what if" when many times those "what ifs" never happened. Instead of worrying, I could have spent that time in scripture finding peace and comfort. God would have give me a peace beyond understanding. This peace would have come while I was suffering an illness, while I was waiting in the surgery waiting room, while wondering what our children are doing, and other times.

In my thoughts today about my "ifs" that have attached themselves to the words of "what" and "only," I have realized that, yes, if I didn't worry so much about "if" and leaned on Jesus, my life would have been much simpler. But, I praise God today because through all the years of tears and worries, He has been right there by my side, waiting for me to come to Him and lean on Him.

Despite my "ifs," I have found Him and I praise Him. God has brought me to a place that has been the best for me. So from now on, instead of thinking "if only" and wondering "what if," I will try and turn to Christ and lay my "ifs" by His feet and stop worrying!