• Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

in Uncategorized

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 wing, remembering that we were new once too?

What if we lived like we were dying, honoring the 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 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 goodness

 

(This is an edited re-post; original posted in 2016.)

 


Quick Programming Note: The Linkup will be taking a break next week (April 5th) to celebrate the Easter holiday. I pray you all have a wonderful week celebrating the RISEN Savior, and I look forward to seeing you back here again on Thursday, April 12th. Much Love. ♥ ♥



<a href="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/chasing-community/"><img  src="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Linkup-button.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="250" /></a>

It’s a casual, pony-tail & sandals environment around here, but a few important reminders:

  • Please remember to visit and leave some encouragement for other friends who’ve linked-up today — this is the heart of community & your words of support could be just the thing another friend needs to hear today.
  • Please only share like-minded words of spiritual encouragement and insight.
  • Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)
  • By linking up & leaving your email address you agree to receive #ChasingCommunity updates.

Thank you for bringing your dish to the table–May your ministry of words find community here.

Ministry+Friends=Fun. I’m linking up today with my friends at #ChasingCommunity. Come join us!
Tweet This

 Loading InLinkz ...

19 Comments

Thanks for the Company!

Subscribe to receive updates and 15 lovely printables created just for YOU!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

« Snow Still Falls in Spring
Rise On Up »

Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    March 29, 2018 at 5:36 am

    Brenda,
    Great “What if’s” to ponder as we head into Easter!! I love Francesca Battiscelli and this version of “Holy Spirit” was a beautiful way to worship and start my day. Wishing you a joyous and blessed Easter sweet friend!
    Love you,
    Bev xo

    Reply
  2. Liz says

    March 29, 2018 at 5:50 am

    Love that song… And your words made me think of proleptic living… It’s an old Word Nerd Wednesday Post… Living as if the future were true now! Thanks for the challenge to do that today and always! Blessings friend!

    Reply
  3. Becky Hastings says

    March 29, 2018 at 6:37 am

    Such beautiful “what ifs!” I love that we can hold onto hope of God’s love and heart for us, even when it’s hard to imagine.

    Reply
  4. Sarah Geringer says

    March 29, 2018 at 6:41 am

    Happy Easter to you, Brenda!

    Reply
  5. Joanne Viola says

    March 29, 2018 at 7:23 am

    Brenda, beautiful post! May we hold onto all that can be as we place our hope in Christ Jesus. May you and your family have a blessed Easter!

    Reply
  6. Anita Ojeda says

    March 29, 2018 at 7:36 am

    Beautiful questions, my friend. Only through Jesus can any of those ifs happen here on earth.

    Reply
  7. Michele Morin says

    March 29, 2018 at 7:42 am

    “Fluent in the language of forgiveness”
    Yes.
    We have been forgiven much, and yet it comes so hard to us to forgive others.
    Blessings to you as you celebrate Easter and take some well-deserved days of rest from the blog!

    Reply
  8. KellyRBaker says

    March 29, 2018 at 9:09 am

    Wow, so creative and powerful! And I love that song! We are finally going to start teaching it to our worship team in the next few weeks. Happy Easter!

    Reply
  9. BettieG says

    March 29, 2018 at 10:24 am

    Dear Brenda,
    These are such powerful reflections, for anytime really, but even more so during this Holy Week before Easter. Oh! If we would truly let the Grace and Mercy of Jesus sink deep into our hearts! May you have a Blessed Easter!

    Reply
  10. Anna Smit says

    March 29, 2018 at 11:02 am

    Happy Easter, Brenda. Amen to this especially: “And were half as considerate of a world without Christ as we are of a world with electronics?”

    Thanks for your encouragement here.

    Reply
  11. Maree Dee says

    March 29, 2018 at 11:34 am

    Brenda, What a beautiful post and one of my favorite songs.

    Reply
  12. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    March 29, 2018 at 11:46 am

    Happy Easter and thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  13. Meghan Weyerbacher says

    March 29, 2018 at 11:47 am

    Have a happy Easter, Brenda!

    Reply
  14. nylse says

    March 29, 2018 at 11:51 am

    What if…indeed.

    Reply
  15. Lesley says

    March 29, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    Yes… what if? The world would be so different! Hope you have a lovely Easter, Brenda!

    Reply
  16. Jerralea says

    March 29, 2018 at 2:57 pm

    Loved this post, Brenda! Especially this line, “What if we lived like we were dying, honoring the whisper of time we’re given?”

    The whisper of time we’re given – so descriptive! Makes one think!

    Reply
  17. Rebecca Jones says

    March 29, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    Beautiful words, Brenda.

    Reply
  18. Lauren Sparks says

    March 29, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    Your “What If’s” sound a lot like heaven, but are also great motivation to do better here on earth. Happy Easter!

    Reply
  19. Donna Reidland says

    March 30, 2018 at 12:56 am

    Great questions, Brenda. Thanks for challenging us to think about them more deeply!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Tags

(In)Courage But God Callings Children Control Faithfulness Family Fear Fill in the Blank Freedom Friendship Giveaway God Graceful Guest Posts Home Hope If My People Inclusion Marriage Motherhood Nature P31 Pain Prayer Proverbs31Ministries Purpose Quotes Racism Rejection Rest Seasons Sisterhood Surrender Teens
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

From the Author

Encouragement for Today Badge

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

God bless America. 🇺🇸 God bless America. 🇺🇸
I see You, God. 🙌 💗 . . . #glory #praise #wo I see You, God. 🙌 💗
.
.
.
#glory #praise #worship #ocean #sky #creator #sustainer #lord #god #beauty #naturalbeauty #sunset #moon #rainbow #faithfulgod #peace #hope #life #onelife #faith #beach #christianwriter #nature #heavenandnaturesing #seegod #believe #photography #rejoice #witness #goodnessofgod
Fluent in the story of tomorrow, my heart envision Fluent in the story of tomorrow, my heart envisioned scene upon scene of a future where my little one grew and laughed and lived.
.
Yet, dreams that once danced deep in the hollows of my heart now rest inside a slip of bygone time.
.
One moment I was pregnant with life—the next, a heartbeat lost to eternity.
.
Whether miscarriage or other aching loss, perhaps you, too, know this empty echo in your spirit as you grieve your beautiful dreams interrupted. I’m so sorry for your loss, dear friend.
.
It’s okay to feel what you feel; God isn’t judging you for being human and heartbroken. The Lord understands your disappointment and confusion, and He doesn’t need you to filter your pain.
.
Your God is right here, right now, loving you where you are.
.
In times like these when there are no answers to the “whys” your heart cries, dear friend, may you rest in the tender love of God, who is forever with you.
.
Curl up in His palm and be held in the comfort of His care.
.
Full article live on Proverbs31.org. We’d love for you to join the conversation today, friend. 💗
.
.
#loss #heartache #dreamsinterrupted #unexpected #motherhood #pregnancy #miscarriage #pain #pregnancyloss #children #family #fear #tomorrow #rest #trust #ache #empty #alone #darkvalley #neveralone #godiswithus #godslove #godspresence #comfort  #faithfulgod #why #p31 #christianwriter #godsgirl #peace
Dear friend, throughout the broken places of our s Dear friend, throughout the broken places of our stories, the hurt that left us feeling broken has never limited God’s power in our lives.
.
You see, God’s activity isn’t limited by our understanding.
.
Even when His hand isn’t visible from today’s perspective, our faithful God is working amid the scars of our stories, growing abundant life and purpose.
.
Dear friend, the broken parts of your story don’t make you a broken person. You’re still the whole, cherished, purpose-filled woman God created you to be. 
.
The wounds of your story aren’t lost on your God. Take heart—those scars you fear might limit you, become powerful testaments of the God who tenderly meets you in them, growing abundance in their midst.
.
How can I pray for you today, friend?
.
We’d love for you to join the conversation over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today! (Proverbs31.org) 💗
.
.
#brokenness #brokenstory #broken #purpose #grief #pain #rejection #heartache #struggle #trust #faith #wounds #faithfulgod #whole #wellbeing #cherished #scars #redeem #strength #abundance #growth #provision #christianwriter #ministry #wounded #writersofinstagram #p31 #flourish #riseup #freedom
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · Market theme by Restored 316

© Copyright 2024 Brenda Bradford Ottinger · Log in