Some of us carry beginnings around with dread.
It will be an adventure! they shout from the sidelines. Don’t they remember how hard this is?
Being new, being alone, learning all over again?
The prelude to starting over is often one long measure of goodbyes.
We’re supposed to be looking to the future with bright eyes and hopeful vision, but instead we’re lingering in the past, gathering up the moments we’ve just left behind.
Comfort us in our grief.
Sustain us for this new journey.
Energize us to lift our heads and take one step forward into today.
But that isn’t all.
Others of us never thought this opportunity would come.
Starting over is a luxury we never thought we could afford. But then, a gift, a surprise, a miracle.
And here we are, rich with opportunity, staring down a clean slate, holding on to forgiveness, standing on the edge of the brightest horizon.
For this, we thank You.
For this, we stand in awe.
For this, we pray for the courage to believe it’s true and the wisdom to not make the same mistakes this time.
Starting over is joy and trepidation, dread and celebration.
Sometimes starting over is the opportunity we never wanted and other times it’s the second chance we never dreamed we’d get.
As we stand at new beginnings and grieve those long goodbyes, teach us what it means to hold onto what we need for the journey and gently let the rest go.
You bring new mercies every morning and give us the grace to start over as many times as we might need.
Keep pace with us as we learn to keep pace with You.
Thank You for not rolling Your eyes when we find ourselves here again.
Thank You for never leaving us alone.
Maybe you had a dream you let die a long time ago. Is it time to start over? If you have an art alive within you that you would like help working out, check out Create + Complete: my online course to help you finally finish projects that matter. Would love to have you join us.
LisaAppelo@TrueandFaithful.net says
April 25, 2016 at 3:21 PMI look forward to your Monday prayers landing in my inbox, Emily. Yes, some new beginnings are forced because the former chapter closed unexpectedly. And in that pain, it’s hard to envision what the next chapter even holds. So thankful that God’s mercy is new every morning and that His faithfulness is a given.
Deb Weaver says
April 25, 2016 at 3:32 PMOh, how timely! These lines especially ministered to me as I journal and lean in to listen to what God is saying in this season: “…Teach us what it means to hold onto what we need for the journey and gently let the rest go. and “Thank You for not rolling Your eyes when we find ourselves here again.”
Emily, thank you for sharing life-giving words of hope and encouragement.
Carey Bailey says
April 25, 2016 at 3:51 PMIn January I left my home of 17 years to move to Denver, CO and EVERYONE tells me “I will love it!”. And I am sure I will love it, eventually. I am sure I will have friends and connections and I will know my way around the city one day. But that day is not here. Everything is still foreign and feeling a little lost and lonely. I am so thankful for reminders like these that it is okay to grieve and walk forward in tandem.
“Keep pace with us as we learn to keep pace with You.”
Amen.
K Ann Guinn says
April 25, 2016 at 4:17 PMLove your Monday prayers!
“As we stand at new beginnings and grieve those long goodbyes, teach us what it means to hold onto what we need for the journey and gently let the rest go.”
This seems to be the most important, yet often most painful part of change (especially when it’s not by choice). May we have the grace to make it so.
Diane W Bailey says
April 25, 2016 at 4:34 PMPraying for you and the goodbyes you must say to be able to embrace your new beginning.
Beautifully written, as always, Emily.
Ruth @GraceLaced says
April 25, 2016 at 5:18 PMWow, friend. These are words speaking directly to the very circumstances I’m in. Thank you for affirming in my heart what is true (and difficult) about where we are. Looking forward to someday soon when I can give you a hug and catch up for real.
Kristin says
April 25, 2016 at 6:46 PMYour words always seem to find their way to me at exactly the right time. I thank God for that and for your obedience to write the prayers of your heart. Thank you, friend.
melissa says
April 25, 2016 at 8:47 PMThe end of Spring seems to always bring goodbyes. I hesitate to embrace the Summer season, and everyone going separate ways. Though vacations and pool days are loved by most, it always brings a tinge of loneliness I try to avoid.
Jennifer Dougan says
April 25, 2016 at 10:08 PMHi Emily,
So now I’m curious about what new beginnings you are looking down the barrel at. 🙂
Thanks for your sweet spirit and pointings to Jesus.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Lauren says
April 26, 2016 at 6:24 AMOh, this is so timely, Emily! Thank you for always putting words together in such a way that speak directly to my heart. Your words point me back to the Truth and help to renew my mind and soul.
Mary says
April 27, 2016 at 10:33 AMYou have a beautiful gift of not only knowing exactly what to say, but staying it in such a beautiful way. Thank you for sharing your gift with me.
Lisa Diaz says
April 27, 2016 at 11:08 PMThank you. I’m right in the middle of change being exactly the new beginning I needed and being something incredibly hard. About 6 months ago my husband was deep in an interview process that would lead to him accepting a new position in a new church. Then my mom suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. The move happened shortly after her funeral. I was able to move into a safe space of anonymity, I didn’t have 50 people asking how I was doing every Sunday. We’re blessed with ample volunteers, and I don’t have to do anything but go to church and support my husband. I’ve been able to take my time easing into the new church. It has been refreshing, but I do miss being involved. I just finished reading Simply Tuesday. Thanks for sharing the whole idea about being a bench dweller. I needed that okay to be small.
Haley says
May 5, 2016 at 2:02 PMEmily, thank you for this. As we face a move to a new city for a great opportunity for my husband’s career, I was in tears by the second line of your prayer. It seems that the first section is mine (starting over is the opportunity I never wanted), and the second section is my husband’s (it’s the second chance he never dreamed he’d get). It reminded us that while what each of us is feeling is different, we will get through together with Him.
Erin says
October 6, 2016 at 11:54 PMMy 2 year old son and I both needed a restart this morning. I read this prayer with him. His mercies are new and his forgiveness and grace is real!