What if I were not alone? What if I was stronger and healthier? What if this pain would go away? What if I had the funds to travel anywhere I wished? What if the kids kept in touch with me more often? What if I could get through a week without a doctor’s appointment? What if my mind was not so forgetful? What if I could still eat anything and everything that I pleased (without consequences)? What if it was not so hot? What if? What if? What if? You can fill in your own “what ifs”. We all have them. Life as we know it is not perfect.   
I’ve heard it said that we’d be much happier if we changed our focus from “what if” to “what is”. Is it time to look carefully and thankfully at what we do have, at “what is”? God tells us He will provide for all our needs. I don’t recall anywhere that He says He would provide for all our wants. Whatever our current status might be, He is there with us. He is walking the journey with us. He has not forgotten us or deserted us. He will lead us step by step until that final day when we see Him in all His glory!

What is – whatever it is – is what God gives us at this moment of life. He asks us to use it to serve Him. Most likely we can’t serve Him in all the ways we could when we were younger. But there are still opportunities for us now. If we can speak, let us speak. If we can listen, let us listen. If we can share a hand of friendship, let us extend it. If we can offer a smile of encouragement, let us do so.

You too can look at the “what is” in your life. You too can use “what is” to serve your Lord. Remember: God still loves you; God loves you unconditionally.

Judy

Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4%3A+7-11&version=NRSV