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Why Not? by Sandi Patty
Crisis is often just the invitation we need to cross the threshold into a new adventure. Crisis can give you the courage to try things you’ve never tried before. Perhaps the pride that once held you back has been thoroughly sifted out of you. Post-crisis people, particularly those who are determined to let the crisis make them better instead of bitter, find themselves no longer protesting, “Oh, I could never do that.” Instead, they greet invitations into adventure with a hearty “Why not?”
Here is a profound bit of wisdom. Allow your past, even your worst failures, into your present only as part of the experience that led up to the person you are today. But do not let one experience determine who you will be tomorrow.
It’s been said that there is the life you learn from and then the life you live. Many of us can relate to this concept. Take whatever lessons you can possibly glean from your past—especially from your sorrows, your losses, and your failures. Scoop up this backpack of wisdom so you can peek into it now and then for its profound lessons. Finally you can begin hiking toward your new life and new mountaintops.
Excerpted from Falling Forward © 2007 Sandi Patty. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Filed under: Books and Products, From the Porch · Tags: crisis, Sandi Patty
25 Responses to "Why Not? by Sandi Patty"
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I bookmarked this site a while ago because of the new content and I have never been unsatisfied. Continue the quality work.
I haven’t opened my emails in a long time and sometimes when that happens I don’t take the time to read them but today I did and came across your message and book name and what you wrote is so parallel with the things I am dealing with in my life. I have had sorrows, loss and failures just causing me so much pain and wondering, “God what can you do with my life?” I look forward to reading your book.
-Marie
Sandy… I am going through some tough times at work–undeserved ones at that.. so this is a very timely message… through it all I’ve relied on Phil 4:13, and am looking to decide on a path that is where my heart is, and where God wants to lead me–not for income.. love your music, and your thoughts! you rock!
Nancy
Sandi,
Thank you for these comforting words of wisdom. I needed them today. I have lost my job & have been out of work 8 weeks. You words helped me put things into prospective & try for a job where my heart is & not for the income. God Bless You.
I can’t wait to read your book. In His Love, Susan
HI SANDY, I’M READING FALLING FORWARD NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF A BAD CRISIES, I NEED YOUR PRAYERS, GOD’S PARDON, GRACE, AND MERCY, I GOT A DUI, I HAD A MIGRAINE AND MY HUSBAND CALLED LOST HIS KEY TO THE CAR, I HAD ALREADY TAKEN A HEAVY DOSE OF MEDS AND WAS IN HALF SLEEP ZOON, NOT THINKING TO TELL HIM I CAN DRIVE, ( I NEVER DRIVE WITH A HEADACHE OR ON MEDS) WELL, GO TO THE GYM WHERE MY HUSBAND WAS AT AND I HIT A PARKED CAR ON PRIVATE PROPERTY THE POLICE WEREN’T EVEN TO BE INVOLED. SOME JUST DON’T KNOW HOW TO MIND THERE OWN BUSINESS. ANYWAY, I’M SCARED. AND WILL APPRICATE YOUR PRAYERS. LOVE AND BLESSINGS WANDA IN PHOENIX
A great reminder to keep moving forward in a positive manner.
Also, is the picture new? You look like a smaller, even more outwardly beautiful Sandi Patti. You are an inspiration and I am planning to have “less of me” when WOF is in Columbus next spring.
There is much truth to Ms. Patti’s advise. A little over 4 years ago my beloved best friend & soulmate of 46 years, my husband, died very suddenly. Eight months ago, I underwent a below the left knee amputation, due to a motorcycle accident. Both times, I had the choice to wallow in self-pity, or move on. It was not easy either time, in fact it was very difficult, but move on I have. That is not to say that some days I do not have much sadness, but with the help of God, family, and friends, I am moved forward with my life.
Dear precious Sandi,
I am, as always, so encouraged by your words. The few lines from your book are just what I needed at this point in the Summer as I am working full-time
(music), 5 kids, and blending families. I can’t seem to get past my crisis (a divorce after 22 yrs.)
and all the after-effects. I can’t help but wondering
how life would have been different (and/or) better if
we had worked through our problems. But we did try.
And it certainly had a dramatic ending with my family
putting me in a psych ward for 33 days. I don’t feel I
belonged there, (I have many horror stories!) because an educated professional with a Church Music career and University teaching job and 2 beautiful children,
supposedly just doesn’t end up in a place like that.
However, post-crisis (your term!) I can see that God
was at work even in the midst of turmoil. Yes, God
is Good! I am now happily married 4 years to a wonderful Godly man!
I look forward to the Dallas Women of Faith. I was born and raised on an Oklahoma family farm; I’m glad
that you moved your family to Oklahoma!! (even though
I live in Plano now!)
Blessings for you & yours, Lisa
I had this email and didn’t receive it until this mornig.I am going to find the time to get this book today. I needed to hear this THIS MORNING! I am in the midst of sending my daughter to college in the fall and all that goes along with that. She is from my first marriage, and her Dad and I have a good relationship now. But this week, there has been a lot of financial conflict. I JUST emailed his wife to meet today to talk, friend to friend.
Thanks for the encouragement.
I cannot wait for W OF F this fall in Philadelphia.
Dear Sandi,
I had my picture taken with you at Hartford, Conn. for the conference and you signed your Simply Patti CD. My daughter, Ashley Dawn, was attending for the 1st time and looking forward to next years, but she was promoted to glory on June 23rd from a grand mal seizure which stopped her heart. Praise GOD though as she will never have another seizure or be sick again. We know she is walking & talking with Jesus/Yeshua and having the best time ever… We need prayer for strength as we do miss her greatly. She and I were very close. Until He Comes, Vickie Morse
I absolutely love your profound bit of wisdom. I have often wallowed in mistakes from the past and will now try your perspective of looking at these things.
I’m looking forward to seeing you again at Women of Faith in Washington, D.C.
Thank you!
Thanks for this~~funny how I need this right now, as my husband had a Stroke in Jan.09 and I was strugglin with all the change but so true God is there and from that crisis I have used my crisis to gain me strength to cope and deal with the every day stresses by the wisdom I have learned through all this. Your Article really inspired me even more.
Ms Manske, Your belief and love for God, is an inspiration to us all.I don,t think you remember me, but I grew up with your family when I was 5 years old. You were best friends with my Mom Josephine Rockar in Spokane, on Howard Street a long time ago. She died 3 years ago, and always wondered what happened to you… Call me if you want (321) 208-8027. God bless
Wow, right now I am going through several crisis all at once and I have been feeling defeated, I haven’t known how to turn my pain from my past into bliss for the future. I have been haunted and afraid but, I know that there is a fighter underneath all of this and I am trying to set that person free.
I think I am getting it now, so many people have rose above their cicumstances and helped others, I am fighting to get their, I really want to help other people who have been abused ( physically, mentally, sexually) I have been a zombie for over 20 years.
This article makes a lot of sense and I am encouraged to turn my tragedies into blessings.
God Bless You and Thank you.
Every time I read something you write, I can apply it to my life and know that I don’t have to live in the past. With God’s help and those He has put in my path, tomorrow is a new day. Thank you
Hi Sandi,
I just wanted to drop you a note to say that I can always relate to your way of thinking. I appreciate you and the way God is using you to further His kingdom. You are a blessing to me! I feel like we are good friends
I have seen and spoke with you several times, and of course I am sure you have no idea who I am! I met you on the grounds before an evening service at the tabernacle in Anderson several years ago (I was convicted to write a letter to you that night when I got home… and you responded), I spoke to you at a concert in Mansfield, IN, been to a couple of your book signings during camp meeting, seen you at Women of Faith last year… and raised my kids on ‘The Friendship Company’!!! I am divorced, as of about 4 years ago. And I have given your books as gifts. I also enjoyed the candlelight service when your family joined you at the Wellness Center. May God continue to bless you and your family, Sandi.
In Christian Love,
Kim
Love, Kim
Dear Patty…. such true words. With the help of our heavenly Father all our failures are a stepping stone to a more compassionate person and the person He wants us to become.
Thank you Sandy for sharing your wisdom with us, be bless and continue shining as the Star the Lord created you to be.
it wasn’t till i had to hand it all over to Jesus because I knew I couldn’t do it on my own that I really started listening to what he wanted. I have down things now that I never would have done before And he has been there to help me all the way
Sandy~this was a very meaningful article for me, as I have gone through those most difficult times and regrets and do find I have become a stronger, better person because of it. I find in those dark times, I cling to God the most and that’s exactly what and who I need
) Thank you for your words. Gloria
Dear Sandi,
Thank you for these words. I am leading the Esther study at work and these words truly fit with what we are learning from the book of Esther.
I hope you are well. It seems like forever since you were in Spokane which was actually only a month or so ago.
Travel well and God Bless,
Veronica
July 8, 2009
At lunch today with several of my “girl friends,” we were talking about learning from our experiences and here was this amazing “Bit of Wisdom” from your book.
Using our past to learn and realize that those experiences made us what we are today. I know that God has used my worse moments and actions to bring me where I am today. Fourteen years ago I moved to my present location in a remote part of Lake Martin Alabama. I have the most godly group of women friends who are all like sisters to me. We support, love, cry, laugh, and are there for each other no matter what happens. I have never had such a group of lady friends in my life like these ladies. God has blessed me so by placing me here. I don’t think I would be alive today but for His hand in our circumstances. I have a wonderful husband and he and I are now attending a sweet country church and our prayers reflect every day our dependence on our Heavenly Father. Sandy, I can’t wait to see you in Atlanta in August. Wouldn’t miss a Women of Faith
conference for anything. I have been a member for five years and plan my summers around these conference dates.
May God Bless your ministry and your family. Love and Blessings, Rebecca
This excerpt from Sandi’s “Falling Forward” book is so very true…I love this book as well as her book “Broken on the Back Row.” Both of these books and the inspiration that Sandi brings through her words and her songs has helped my husband and I more than she will ever know.
thank you, thank you! I facilitate an addiction group for men who are homeless at The Salvation Army, and we discussed this very topic today. I work very hard at instilling hope and the belief that change is possible – that past failures do not condemn a person to a life of hopelessness, addiction, and loneliness. Thank you – this is another way that perhaps they can be reached. We serve a God of miracles, but if a person has no hope for the future, that is very hard to believe.
My brother is going through a tough time right now and this message hit the nail on the head. He needs uplifting words and these are the perfect words for him. Thank you for your faith and for sharing with everyone else!
Cheers, Sarah