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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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What If…

 

What if…

What if time served us rather than us serving it?

What if the church were a judgement-free zone?

 

There’s nothing worth more

That will ever come close

 

What if poverty wasn’t?

And humility was?

 

No thing can compare

You’re our Living Hope

 

What if we lived as a people who believed in the power of prayer?

And we embraced acceptance, forcing playground politics into extinction?

 

Your presence, Lord

 

What if we looked each other in the eyes, giving voice to the unspoken?

And took new people under our wings, remembering we were new once too?

What if we lived like we were dying, honoring this whisper of time we’re given?

 

I’ve tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves

Where my heart becomes free, and my shame is undone

What if we traded gossip for grace? Comparison for compassion? Disgrace for dignity?

What if transparency trumped appearances?

And stillness replaced busyness?

 

Your presence, Lord

 

What if we ate the bread of unity and drank the wine of laughter?

And were half as considerate of a world without Christ as we are of a world with electronics?

 

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

What if we were fluent in the language of forgiveness?

And deaf to the voice of empty criticism?

 

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by your presence, Lord

 

What if our chains were bound to the eternal, rather than the temporal?

And we raised palms in praise, rather than fingers in blame?

 

Let us become more aware of Your presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

 

What if we served the least of these?

And counted it all gain?

What if…

Let us become more aware of Your presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodnessflower-dd8585

 

 

 

What if we looked each other in the eyes, giving voice to the unspoken?
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What if we traded gossip for grace? comparison for compassion? Disgrace for dignity?
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What if we raised palms in praise, rather than fingers in blame?
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~ Linking up this week with some of my favorite people: #IntentionalTuesday , #RaRaLinkup , #TestimonyTuesday , #TellHisStory , Coffee for Your Heart , Sitting Among Friends , Thought-Provoking Thursday , #DanceWithJesus , Grace and Truth , Faith Filled Friday  Faith ‘n Friends Blog Hop , Let Us Grow , Us, Coffee and Jesus , #GiveMeGrace  ~

31 Comments

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Comments

  1. Horace Williams Jr says

    May 10, 2016 at 9:14 am

    This it beautiful, poignant, and so thought provoking Brenda. Thank you for sharing the thoughts and words God laid on your heart. I want focus on being more like Christ and pray it makes a difference in my sphere of influence. I am both moved and inspired by your post today. Have a wonderful week and may God continue to richly bless you and yours!
    Horace Williams Jr recently posted…Focused on the Forbidden Fruit or Focused on God?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 12, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      Hey, Horace, great to see you. Looking forward to hearing all about your book-to-be! 🙂
      Thanks for visiting, brother. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  2. Debbie Wilson says

    May 10, 2016 at 9:42 am

    Wow, this was beautiful to think about and I appreciate your artistic layout too. Heavenly!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:07 am

      ((Debbie)) Thank you for your sweet encouragement. Praying for you. xoxo

      Reply
  3. Linda Stoll says

    May 10, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    Oh Brenda, what a beautiful duet … your prayer, that song.

    Stunning, meaningful.

    Amen …
    Linda Stoll recently posted…Creating a Haven * Let’s Do the Outside FirstMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:08 am

      Linda, you’re always so generous to me. Thank you for being the encouragement you are. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  4. Lorraine Reep says

    May 10, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Absolutely beautiful…I’ll be quoting you! I love Tuesdays – I always discover a new and wonderful blogger. Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:11 am

      Hey, Lorraine, so nice to meet you. 🙂 Great to connect. 🙂 I look forward to getting to know you. Hug. ((grace upon grace))

      Reply
  5. Jeralyn says

    May 10, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    My reminder for the day has been to be bound to the eternal….remembering and living in the truth that His Holy Spirit resides in me…fills me….empowers me….
    Beautiful, Brenda…
    Jeralyn recently posted…Leaving The Land of Numb……My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:13 am

      Hey, friend. Great to see you. I’m right there with ya…remembering to be bound to the eternal rather than distracted by the temporal. Thanks for stopping by today, my friend. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  6. Kristina says

    May 10, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Wow. This was beautiful and convicting. I love how you wrote this. Amazing.
    “And were half as considerate of a world without Christ as we are of a world with electronics?”
    My heart’s desire!
    visiting from #tellhisstory #20
    Kristina recently posted…The Empowered Life of a Christian Part 2 – Ephesians 3:14-20 DevotionMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:16 am

      Hi, Kristina. 🙂 Thanks for dropping in, and thanks for your sweet encouragement. ((grace upon grace))

      Reply
  7. Denise Crosby (@amothersfaith) says

    May 11, 2016 at 2:19 am

    Goodness, Brenda! This hit many points right on the head. One of my favorite songs:)
    Denise Crosby (@amothersfaith) recently posted…When My View is DistortedMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:17 am

      Hey, Denise! So great to see you. Thanks for stopping by and reading, friend. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  8. Michele Morin says

    May 11, 2016 at 7:49 am

    I’m thinking about the old song “Imagine” (was it the Beatles or just one of them?) only your lyrics are so much wiser and more in tune with a Christian world viewl. Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:19 am

      Hey, Michele. 🙂 Ya know, I hadn’t thought about its similarities with “Imagine,” but now that you mention it…it sure does, doesn’t it? Guess it’s a timeless theme. 🙂 Thank you for coming by and reading; great to see you. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  9. Valerie Sisco says

    May 11, 2016 at 9:59 am

    Hi Brenda,
    I’m your neighbor at Coffee for your Heart. I love how your thoughts meander when you ask “what if?” That really is a question we should ask ourselves often to gain a fresh perspective! And Francesca’s song is one of my favorites! 🙂
    Valerie Sisco recently posted…Come On Ride the TrainMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:22 am

      Hey, Valerie, great to be neighbors. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in and sharing. That’s a favorite song of mine too…hard not to love it. 🙂 ((grace upon grace))

      Reply
  10. Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says

    May 12, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    Brenda,
    Just took a much needed “Spirit” break in my busy day. Reading your post and listening and watching the video was just the rejuvenation my thirsty soul needed!!
    Blessings sweet friend,
    Bev xx

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:25 am

      Hey, my friend. So nice to see you. So glad this little break in your day was refreshing. Thank you for always being kind and supportive…you’re a blessing. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  11. Sarah Donegan says

    May 12, 2016 at 4:46 pm

    The world would definitely be a kinder, more godly place. Love this!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:51 am

      Indeed! 🙂 Thanks for stopping in and sharing, Sarah. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Marie says

    May 13, 2016 at 11:52 am

    What a beautiful way to reflect on the words of this song. Well written. I’ll be connecting my readers to this post in my Friday Faves. Blessings to you and yours! Marie

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:44 am

      Thank you, Marie, for this gracious act of support and encouragement…it blesses my heart. ((grace upon grace upon grace, my friend))

      Reply
  13. Crystal Storms says

    May 13, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Love these thoughts, Brenda. I pray I live them, letting the Holy Spirit reign in me so I can love like He loves. Thanks for sharing. : )
    Crystal Storms recently posted…How To Wait WellMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      May 14, 2016 at 10:52 am

      I pray I do too, Crystal. 🙂 Thanks for coming by and reading, my friend. <3 ((xoxo))

      Reply
  14. Patrick Weseman says

    May 17, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    Very beautiful. I had to steal some of it.
    Patrick Weseman recently posted…Welcome to SparksMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Lyli @3dlessons4life.com says

    May 26, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Beautiful post, Brenda. I love that song so much. Gives me goosebumps every time we sing it in church. May we be tuned in to the work of the Holy Spirit!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      June 4, 2016 at 8:35 am

      Hey, friend. Nice to see you. It’s a hard song not to love, isn’t it? I love it too. Thanks for visiting, great to see you. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  16. Lux G. says

    November 4, 2016 at 3:57 am

    Beautiful what ifs in life. Blessings!

    Reply
  17. Karen Friday says

    October 20, 2017 at 9:30 am

    Beautiful post, Brenda. “I’ve tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves…Where my heart becomes free, and my shame is undone.” So powerful! Loved looking through your site and blog today. Blessings and hugs!

    Reply

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Winter always seems to rally in March here in Caro Winter always seems to rally in March here in Carolina where I live.
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Oh, how that parallels life sometimes, doesn’t it, friend?
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Weary seasons often challenge the boundaries of their timetables, refusing to surrender to brighter days.
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Dear friend, if you’re in a season that feels challenging & relentless, run to the God who holds all things together. 
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Root your hope in Him, for He will not deny your spirit its Spring.
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The creation of beautiful things is a messy, time-consuming process; don’t lose hope, my friend, your spring will come.
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So, plant your garden of dreams and longings in expectation, for our God is a trustworthy God who makes all things beautiful in their time. And there is no beauty like beauty born of burden.
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God has not forgotten you, friend. Rest in the promise of what you can’t yet see, for He is forever able. 💕
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Oh, friend, no matter what you’re going through Oh, friend, no matter what you’re going through today…there is a God who is greater.
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Greater than confusion. Greater than joy. Greater than the exhaustion. Greater than the love.
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Lean into His promises. Trust His wisdom. Rest in His care. Live in His strength.
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For every single word of the Lord proves true.
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He is faithful.
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Today.
Tomorrow.
Always. 💕
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Dear friend, the God who saw you ahead of your bir Dear friend, the God who saw you ahead of your birth, whose precious thoughts about you are greater than numbers can contain, He recorded purpose for you long before your life existed in time!
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It’s true. 💗
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Over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today, I share a memory of Younger Me and how the Lord met me—and meets you!—in the midst of our insecurity with the confidence to be ourselves & the belonging our hearts crave.
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We’d love for you to join the conversation today over at proverbs31ministries.org . Meet you there, friend! 💕
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#insecurity #belonging #freedom #beyourself #beyou #youreenough #justasyouare #p31 #ministry #proverbs31ministries #newgirl #awkward #confidence #comfort #purpose #service #leadership #christianwriter #faith #god #godslove #influence #bible #community #fittingin #findyourplace #trustgod #showup #onelife #identity
The timeliness of God is a mystery & miracle unto The timeliness of God is a mystery & miracle unto itself…
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I’d already prepared this post & had it ready to share today, when I happened upon this verse in my quiet time this morning:
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“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Eph. 5:2)
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Wherever you find yourself this week, friend, look around you. Notice the ones God places in your sphere.
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Living a life of love need not be complicated. It can be as simple as a timely smile, letting someone know they’re seen.
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For, indeed, “The best use of life is love.”
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Spend it well. Use it up, pour it out, make a difference with your one life, my friend. The world needs the love you have to offer.
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And, never forget how very adored you are by your God. No thing in all of creation—past, present, or future—can ever separate you from His tender heart for you. Forever He’s the lover of your soul. 💕
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