{"id":4142,"date":"2010-03-07T10:00:40","date_gmt":"2010-03-07T10:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/deaconsbench\/2010\/03\/if.html"},"modified":"2010-03-07T10:00:40","modified_gmt":"2010-03-07T10:00:40","slug":"if","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/deaconsbench\/2010\/03\/if.html","title":{"rendered":"If"},"content":{"rendered":"

At first blush, I thought this brief essay<\/a> was a classic example of someone who had a deadline to meet, and nothing to say, and an editor breathing down his neck.<\/p>\n

But I’m thinking, no:  he actually has a good point to make.<\/p>\n

\nWhile sitting in church the other day, I was contemplating the meaning of life and what my purpose here on Earth really is when I began wondering about such things as how to be a better person. And that woman is wearing a wig or my name is Jehoshaphat.<\/p>\n

I snapped out of my deep thoughts during the homily when the deacon suddenly raised his voice for emphasis on the word “if.” He said “if” really is a powerful word and he’s right.
\nIt certainly was a strong word, just like knucklehead or naked.<\/p>\n

And I really do use “if” a lot. As a matter of fact, it was running through my head as I sat there listening. I wondered “if” I was going to have my usual sandwich and a half a can of soup for lunch or “if” there was leftover sauerkraut, then that meant – whoo hoo! – it’s hot dog day.<\/p>\n

But enough about lunch and back to the sermon on “if” and how important it can be regarding faith. The next thing I thought about was “if” there was no sauerkraut then I’d have to just stick to plan A, which I decided was a bit disappointing because I get so tired of sandwiches since that’s all I have all week.<\/p>\n

Then I though how cool it would be “if” we stopped by the local diner for a nice breakfast instead. But I know we should be giving our extra money to the poor but, what the heck, let’s live a little.<\/p>\n

Suddenly I started to get a little excited about lunch. A farmer’s omelet and hash browns were sounding really good at the time. And who doesn’t like going out to eat after church? Yes, I convinced myself that would be the plan.<\/p>\n

I was getting inspired about the deacon’s sermon when I decided that maybe I wouldn’t get breakfast after all. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read on<\/a> to see where this leads…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At first blush, I thought this brief essay was a classic example of someone who had a deadline to meet, and nothing to say, and an editor breathing down his neck. But I’m thinking, no:  he actually has a good point to make. 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