Starting Over
I don’t know about you, but I love fresh starts, new beginnings. Whether it’s beginning a new book that doesn’t have the words underlined or scribbles in it yet, writing in a new journal, (with its clean, white, unwritten pages) or even better yet, journeying into a new, fresh, season of life that’s yet to be lived out, there’s something very exciting about fresh starts.There’s a quote I read a while back that stated perfectly what I was feeling at the time, and in fact, gave me the courage to make some very necessary changes in my life:
“I hope you live a life that you’re proud of. If you find you are not, I hope you have the strength to START ALL OVER AGAIN.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
It’s not that I wasn’t proud of the life that I had lived up to the point of my reading that quote, (because I was proud of all that God had done in and through me) but it was the START ALL OVER words that leaped out at me. Since then, I’ve described that moment as picturing myself with a pen in my hand and a blank piece of paper, with full permission to write out what I hope the next season of my life would look like. In fact, I wrote a blog a year and a half ago about exactly that process. (Rewriting Your Season)Since that blog post in 2016, my husband and I have moved to the country, with cows and dogs and all sorts of other animals. I’ve learned to say no to many things I would have, in years past, said yes to. I’ve slowed down and learned to listen better. I’ve listened more to God through His Word, through His still small voice, and even through His creation of nature with all its beauty.
I am more certain now of what I am to do and even more certain of what I’m not to do. I feel like I’ve got a clear perspective of what God is asking of me in this new season, and it’s pretty exciting!One of the things I have felt God nudging me toward is this website. As much as I’d love to sit across the table with each one of you and share all that’s on my heart, in reality, it’s just not possible. What is possible is creating a place where we can all converge together to be encouraged, a place where I can give to you all that I feel like God has given to me. So, with that in mind, we’ve given my website a new look with continued new resources and a fresh, new purpose…me connecting with you.I’ll be posting devotions weekly for you to read for encouragement and hopefully, for you to pass along to others. I’m even going to jump way beyond my comfort zone and post podcasts periodically. These podcasts will give me an opportunity to connect with you even more through sharing my heart on God, the Bible, marriage, parenting and just living life as a woman in this sometimes, crazy world.As you can see, I’m “starting over” in a lot of areas in my life! A fresh, clean new start. Blank pages of paper, yet to be written on. Beautiful, exciting, even mysterious days ahead that have yet to be lived out. Pen in my hand, led by the Holy Spirit, writing out this new season.I want to challenge you to do the same. In what areas do you need to START OVER? Creating a better marriage? Becoming a better mother, co-worker, friend? Eliminating things that only clutter your life, making your life more chaotic than peaceful? Making better decisions in your finances so that you have room to breathe? All of us have areas that we desire to start over in. I’m just encouraging you to start now, don’t wait. You have the pen in your hand. You have the ability to write out what you desire this season of your life to look like too. I know it can be scary. I’ve just walked that road, but I can tell you that you’ll be so glad you did and I’ll be cheering you on!I’m so excited to be walking this journey…this “starting over” season with you!