If you could only go back now................

What if you could some how look into the future and see what would be if you continued along the same path you're on right now as it relates to the relationships in your life? What if you could use a virtual tool that would let you see what would have been the outcome if you would have only made a different decision at the time or maybe just tried a little harder? As a Pastor I've had the opportunity to speak to many people from all walks of life about all kinds of issues in their lives and what I've come to  learn is that the worst of all emotions is regret. We look back with deep hurtful feelings and ask ourselves, what if?

What if I would have just tried one more time? What if I would have just stopped that behavior when he or she needed me too? What if I would have been just a little more concerned about others as opposed to making everything about me, and having things my way? What if I would taken the initiative to apologize first or even at all just one time? What if I had not gone with him or her that night? What if I would have just gone home when I knew I should have? What if I would have simply asked for help from the dozens of people who were trying to give it to me? What if I would have sat down with him or her and owned who I was and what I had done and asked them to forgive me? What if I would have been honest and done the right thing?

The "what if's" can go on forever and ever without end can't they? As I made the list I couldn't help but see many of my own mistakes woven within the words that I have written, possibly you did also. The real question comes down to this, if you had it to do all over again, what would you do differently knowing what you know now? I think it's the greatest rear view question any of us could possibly ask ourselves. I have developed a graph of sorts that if you will apply a little heart and vision you could ask yourself that very question now before you have to look at the past for the answer. The graph asks the question based on a timeline that works like a sliding scale. Look at your current situation and then in your mind slide the scale to the right and allow your situation to overlay the future situation several months from now and ask yourself honestly, if I continue the way I'm going right now, in the months to follow where will this end?

   (      Now     )                              (     Then     )

      01    02   03   04   05   06   07    08    09    10   11   12

Sliding Time Line Life Scale

When you look at this sliding scale can you envision the future? How does it look to you right now based on the information that you have to work with? If you can just look into the future just a little bit and then turn around and look back, do you see yourself asking any of those questions  that began with What if? Now's the time to do it.

Looking to the Future.................. 

Scene Stealing

What is it with the mindset that says; something's going on and it appears that I'm not the center of attention therefore I must create some drama in order for me to have my moment in the spotlight? What causes this reaction or behavior? Is it that something from long ago in our past wasn't completed, or maybe it's that someone didn't or doesn't pay enough attention to us and we feel we must go "get it" on our own. You know the scene right? It's a family function like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or perhaps a birthday and the one I speak of seems to always be about 30 minutes late, blows in like Madonna on the red carpet with some crazy story of how busy and important their life is and right in the midst of the performance they slow down long enough to notice that you've already started eating which causes an awful reaction thus causing the pouting sulky face for the remainder of the day.

Every family's got one, some two or three, and age really makes no difference, young or old. If as you're reading this you cannot not imagine who this is in your family, it may very well be you. I've seen it pop up at funerals, weddings, or just plain every day Sunday Worship services. People who are not completely invested or involved suddenly find themselves in a group of those who are and instantly decide to make the moment about themselves in order to shine a little light, problem is, it's typically in the wrong direction.

Scene Stealing can also be done with the classic absentee ballot. This is where they decide that there's no chance the moment will be about them while they're present so the bigger splash can be obtained by simply not showing up. Surely I'll be noticed then. Why yes you will, again light shined in the wrong direction, in not out. I love the new song SMS [Shine] by the Dave Crowder Band, it's wonderful and tells a strong story of what we should be seeking to do with our time, our talents, and our abilities. What if we could stop focusing on ourselves for just a moment and shine our light on others?

Looking in my own mirror.................