New Beginnings

Proverbs 30:25
"Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;"

Proverbs 6:6
"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"​

If you are anything like me you hate to see the end of Summer? I am a Summer girl for sure. I love the outdoors. I love the sun, the water, the fresh foods, the warm nights and early mornings, where I can sit on my porch. But, I also love new beginnings. A long time ago, I decided I was going to embrace all the seasons of the year, and of my life. I used to look at Fall as the beginning of drudgery. I had nothing to look forward to until Spring, after all--everything was dying and Winter was coming; and I wouldn't see the Sun again until Spring. But then, I looked at all of life like that. Life isn't all or nothing. Happy or sad. Good or bad. I failed to be brave enough, to see the positive in all situations; because I was filtering my today though all of my yesterdays. My future was being based on my past.

It has taken a lot of hard work and hugging razor blades, to get me to where I am today. I have have shared many vignettes with you about why I personally have difficulty with change and starting over, but there are also a number of caveats I have yet to share. When dealing with your past be gentle, but firm with yourself. Watch your self-talk. Life is always subject to change, only God changes not; but even He can change His mind, read the stories in Jeremiah 18, Exodus 32, 1 Samuel 15 and Numbers 23. Perhaps, I will share with you more on this topic in the coming days.

If the YouTube video does not show up below, view in your browser, or click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnwYvVj2aMQ​

ACTION STEP: Today, is the first day of all of your tomorrows. Allow yourself to view today through the lense of your future, not the lense of your past. Stop yourself from using a negative vocabulary, when describing yourself or your situation. Look for opportunities in all your obstacles. Look at what you learned in all your past messes, and see the bigger message that you can now share with others. You are an expert in whatever you came through, that didn't stop you.

Remember the story of Heather Whitestone, the first deaf Miss America? Remember when people told her she'd never make it to Miss America because she'd lost most of her ability to hear at eighteen months? She said, "I wasn't listening. I didn't hear them." Well, when my past screams, "You are unwanted, ugly, stupid..." I refuse to listen, and rather tell myself what the Word of God says about me. I am adopted. I am chosen. I am loved. How about you?

You and I have a few days before a new month begins, and a new season goes into full swing, with Pumpkins, Apple cider, Turkey, Fall foliage and all that Fall brings. Let's look for the good, the pure, the true, the praiseworthy, and admirable,.... We serve a good God and He is for us--not against us.

Happy Fall ya all!

I believe in you and you need to believe in yourself.