Today's reading

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. –Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

December 18, 2023

Fresh Starts

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. –Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

Many people are moving across the country to growing communities where it is rare to find someone who grew up in the area. When you move 1,200 miles away from everything that is routine, you have two options: 1) You can make yourself miserable, feel sorry for yourself, and lament over everything you miss. Or 2) You can look at the positive side of a new beginning. For example, no one knows you. No one has judged you, pigeonholed you, or put you into a box. You can actually reinvent who you are because no one has preconceived ideas about you. No one has seen your clothes or your shoes—you suddenly have a whole new wardrobe. You don’t have to eat at the same old restaurants. You no longer look at anyone as a stranger, instead, you see them as potential friends. You appreciate every smile, every kind word, every person who reaches out to you. No one is invading your space. Every day is an adventure; you discover your spouse can be a friend, and you lose complacency. In God’s Kingdom, every day is a fresh start. He never judges you by yesterday’s failures or tomorrow's faults. Fresh starts are His specialty.

prayer focuses

Thank You, Lord, that each morning provides a fresh start as I grow in Your love.

Lord, help me to trust that Your plan is better than my own.

music

latest reads

3/30/2024

Charges Dropped

3/29/2024

All for You

3/28/2024

Know Your Enemy

3/27/2024

Get Past Your Past

3/26/2024

Freedom

3/25/2024

Cold Snap

3/23/2024

Can You Hear Me Now?

about the

Author

Brenda Beattie

Brenda Beattie is a retired letter carrier and an active Chaplain for the USPS. She and her husband retired to Bradenton because they loved their church, Bayside Community Church. She has self-published two books, "Finding Sacred Ground In The Daily Grind," and "The Case Of The Missing Letter." She is also a repeat author for "Chicken Soup For The Soul." Her articles appear monthly in the "Mountaineer," a postal publication. Her hearts desire is to encourage and to give hope.