What if?

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Suzanne Montgomery

What if we could rewrite our story? Would we get it any better the second time around? Even a small decision can make a large impact. The things that we consider as “bad” decisions or the tragedies in our lives, lead us in directions we might not have taken otherwise. Our decisions not only change where we are but they change who we are and they affect everyone around us. Andy Andrews in his book “The Butterfly Effect” describes several true scenarios in history that seemed inconsequential at the time but changed the course of events to come dramatically. Joshua Chamberlain’s choice to stand his ground at Gettysburg with his meager group of Union soldiers, turned the tide for the North to move on to victory in this battle and eventually, the Civil war. If the North had not won at Gettysburg, what would the USA be today? Would we be a world power or divided into numerous small countries like Europe? It’s mind-boggling to contemplate the impact of that one decision by one man so long ago.

In my own life, I am aware of the impact of many of my decisions. Yes, I have often wondered what the consequences would be if I was able to rewrite parts of my story. If we had not traveled to the city of Lebanon that icy February in 1975 to attend a band concert, would my sister Gaynelle still be alive today? If my mom had been driving instead of me, would she have been able to control the car on slick pavement?

What if, what if…? This is the question that hounds our souls! My sister would have been 44 years old now. I wonder if she were here, whether she would have a family and whether I would have more nieces and nephews to love. Only God knows the answers to my questions. I remember Dad saying not long after Gaynelle’s death that he wondered if she had been saved from something worse by dying when she was only 5 years old. Perhaps she was shielded from unimaginable suffering she would have endured had she continued to live here on earth. Would she choose to stay knowing what she knows now? Even though I’m sure that she would want to be with us, I imagine she would choose heaven. She has seen the “other side of the veil.” She knows Jesus face to face. How magnificent that would be! She also knows that in a very brief amount of time compared to eternity, we will be with her again. What is our hope, is her reality. But I still miss her even after all these years. I long to hold her, laugh with her and tell her that I have loved her always even in her absence. I haven’t forgotten the joy she brought into the world. She was a gift even if it was for only 5 years.

God has a story He is writing of my life and Gaynelle is a beautiful yet painful part of the whole. Every page He pens is creating who He wants me to be-the best me. I need to offer Him the book of my life without strings attached. Francesca Battistelli expresses my sentiments as she sings, “My life is an empty page, an open book. Write your story on my heart. Make your mark.” Who am I to think I could write my story better than God? I can ask Him why He put in some of the painful parts when I see Him face to face. But I wonder if I will be like Job when God revealed Himself after all his trials. He no longer had any questions when he met God but said, “I know that you can do all things. No plan of yours can be thwarted…Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”

All of us have our “What If’s” in life. It is human nature to wonder what life would have been like if we could change even a few things. We all have events or people who have scarred our hearts. At times, I will look back with regret at events that happened even decades ago. But I don’t want to dwell there. As I look back, I can see the hand of God guiding me; I recognize that Jesus was walking with me “through the valley of the shadow of death.” So looking back reinforces the fact that I have walked through fire and survived. I am confident that if needed, I can do it again with the one who strengthens me. I agree with the Apostle Paul when he said, “The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” “He who started a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Instead of looking back with regret, I look forward with joy and anticipation to what is to come. Rather than dwelling on “What If”, I will embrace this life I have been given for what it is and focus instead on “What’s Next.” I’m ready and excited for this next chapter to be written.

Holding on to Hope

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Suzanne Montgomery

Yesterday I started to write a post about hope but found myself stuck after the first paragraph. I have been so moved by the events of the past few weeks, I wanted to write something that would give hope in this present darkness. It is easy to feel hopeless as the people of West Africa are dying of Ebola, as fighting continues between Israel and Hamas, and as religious minorities are being slaughtered by the militant Islamic group, Isis. I left my writing, not knowing where to go with it. I was at a loss for words.

Writing is a funny process. As in any creative endeavor, one must start and then push through to open up the revelation of the mind. Inspiration comes from within and without. It comes from things I see, things I hear and memories long buried in the recesses of my mind. But then there is the inexplicable, mysterious insight that suddenly comes out of nowhere. This is God. I know it without a doubt. There are thoughts that come out of my pen (or the keyboard of my computer) that are not from me.

Inspiration comes from taking God in like a breath through his word, his people and his Spirit and letting him flow forth. Like breathing in and breathing out.

This is hope that God is as close as the air I breathe. I inspire his oxygen and it travels to every cell of my body, giving life, energy and sustenance. When all else is stripped away through persecution, disaster and death, he is still there within me.

Paul, to the church in Rome, asks: “Who therefore shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

How can we be separated from the air we breath if that air is the Spirit of God? We can’t. No matter what happens whether good or bad, he stands with us through it. Our hope cannot be based on external situations because the world as it is will always disappoint us. Our hope is based on that which cannot be changed, the loving nature of God.

My heart and prayers go out to the suffering people on the other side of the earth and right here at home. We will all have trouble, no matter who we are. It takes different forms but suffering is universal. None of us is immune from it. But my deepest prayer is that all those going through pain whatever it might be, will know that God is as close as their very breath. Inspire/inhale his presence and hope and peace will envelope your heart and mind. You will be “more than conquerors” through any trouble that comes your way.

Embracing the Unexpected

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Suzanne Montgomery

Isn’t life just a little crazy? When I think things are going along smoothly, something unexpected happens to throw off my routine. This past week, a chicken randomly arrived in our yard. We do live out in the country so chickens are not totally foreign to us. However, this bird seemed to come out of nowhere. We have neighbors with chickens but none of them have this type. I have learned from my farming friends that it is an Araucana, originally bred in Chili. They lay blue eggs. It’s a beautiful and surprisingly friendly bird.

So we have had a decision to make. Do we try to find someone to take the chicken or do we keep it? Since we know absolutely nothing about chickens, logic would say that we should find it another home. We’re not even knowledgeable enough to tell if it is a hen or a rooster! But against better judgement, we have fed it wild bird food and plan to make a trip to the local Tractor Supply to pick up some chicken feed and a chicken coop. I’m actually anxiously hoping it is a hen so we can have blue eggs. What a novelty!

It’s really not uncommon to have the unexpected fly into our lives. It happens all the time. How we respond can turn the unexpected into a drudgery or transform it into an adventure. I can recall several times when events or people randomly appeared in my life unexpectedly. I had to decide then what my response would be.

Many years ago, we had a man from Alaska come to the airport to have work done on his airplane. I came home from work one day to find out that my husband had invited him to stay in our guest room at the house rather than in a hotel. I was a little unsure about inviting a perfect stranger into our home and really would have liked to have been asked first. He ended up living in our home for a month while the work was being completed. Needless to say, we became very well acquainted with Jeff during that month and since that time he has returned to visit us and we have visited him in Alaska on more than one occasion. He was an unexpected visitor that was offered hospitality transforming him from just a passing acquaintance into a cherished friend. I have gained a number of great friends through odd circumstances such as this over the years.

Another unexpected event happened when I married Tim 7 years ago. I had been divorced for 6 years and never expected that I would ever have more than my 3 children from my first marriage. But with Tim, I gained 3 step children. Granted, they are not with us as often as we would like since they live in Tipton with their mom, but the time we have with them is wonderful. I never really imagined that I could love them as I do. I have adopted them into my heart as if they are my own. I have learned through this that your children do not have to be biologic to be loved deeply. Love is not limited. It can be dispensed lavishly and never be diminished. There is more than enough to go around for all 6 of them. My children are all grown and live in their own places. Tim’s oldest, Timothy is now in his 3rd year of college and Tim’s Anna (yes, we have 2 Anna’s) goes away to University of Indianapolis in a week. Jack will be our one and only at home soon. He will miss his Sis since they are very close but he will also bask in the personal attention he will have when she is away.

Both of these circumstances were totally unexpected but have ended up becoming great blessings in my life. I could have approached them with an attitude of resignation and resentment. But I chose not to go down that path. Instead, after some initial shock, I chose to embrace these situations whole heartedly. I’m so thankful that I did. What fun and joy I would have missed!

So I guess my point in all of this is…when a chicken flies into your life, don’t be too quick to shoo it away. Maybe God intended this just for you. In “The Hobbit” by JRR Tolkien, Gandalf points to providence when he asks Bilbo, “You don’t really suppose do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit?” What seems like a chance meeting or circumstance, just might lead to a pivotal juncture in your life. God does that sort of thing behind the scenes. Expect the unexpected since this is often the way He works to move us into His blessings. Embrace the unexpected as pieces of the great adventure God has in store for you.