The smell of freshly sharpened #2 pencils, the joy of opening a new box of crayons, the fun of putting together notebooks and organizers, selecting that special outfit for the first day and then the excitement of starting something new. Ah, the start of a new school year is upon us. A time for new beginnings.
Where did summer go? Seems like just yesterday we were pulling out swimsuits and making plans for all the fun summer stuff we’d do. Now we’re just days away from the start of the next school year.
For my daughter, who will be starting 1st grade this year, all new beginnings are exciting. Start of a new school year, a new summer camp this week, a new tumbling class. You name it, and she looks at new as something to explore.
I wish we could all have this same sense of excitement and joy over new beginnings. Sure, some new beginnings are naturally exciting – getting married, having a baby. Other times our joy is more conditional, like being excited about starting a new job or moving. We might look positively at these if it was our idea to move or the new job is something we wanted, but we don’t always see these as positive moments in our lives.
What new beginnings are you facing this year? New school year, new job, moving to a new house or new city, taking on a new responsibility at work or in your volunteer life, sending a child off to college? Or maybe something more difficult, like facing life with a new diagnosis or revised treatment plan, continuing on after the loss of a loved one?
I have to be honest – I don’t always face change very well. Usually my reaction includes some bit of kicking and screaming, digging in of heels, maybe a few tears. I’m not alone here, am I?
But, I want to change! No matter what new beginning I’m facing, I pray I can tap into my daughter’s optimism and joy. I want to look at that new beginning by thinking about the possibilities and potential, rather than worrying about what might happen or what might not be the same.
Whatever new beginning you’re facing this year, I want to encourage you to face it with boldness, excitement and anticipation of positive outcomes! Change isn’t always bad. In fact, change can be good.
New beginnings are God’s opportunity to renew us.
His opportunity to bring us a fresh perspective, new experiences, growth and learning. As you face whatever new beginning is before you, consider what good this new start may bring, instead of focusing on what you’re leaving behind.
[callout]“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” ~2 Corinthians 5:17[/callout]
Check out this beautiful song, “New Beginnings” by Ayiesha Woods. I especially love the chorus:
‘Cause I believe in new beginnings, no matter what they say
Yesterday is over, it’s over
And though tomorrow can’t be promised
Today’s a brand new day, love lasts forever, forever
I believe, I believe, I believe in new beginnings
[youtube id=”oqs2YtKpxy4″ height=”353″ width=”574″ marginbottom=”14″]
Sharing with: UNITE, Testimony Tuesday, Coffee for your Heart, The Weekend Brew, #GiveMeGrace
Kelley says
I look forward to every post from you, but I’m really looking forward to this upcoming series! As always, thanks for the inspiration and encouragement!
Kathryn says
I’m super excited about this series, too! Thanks for all your encouragement!!
[email protected] says
i love the fresh start that autumn brings … but this year, it seems to be coming way too soon. i think i’ll head out to the back porch to celebrate the summer that still defines my days …
thanks for this reflection, Kathryn … it’s good to be visiting back and forth with you these days1
;-}
Kathryn says
Yes, summer did go by SO fast, but I’ll be glad for fall weather to return so we can get back outside! Enjoy these last bits of summer!
Sarah Ann (@faithalongway) says
What a great reminder that change is God’s opportunity to renew . As in every aspect of life, change is a great chance to show our trust and faith in His plan. It was a pleasure to connect with you from Motivation Monday! I am a new follower and would love to have you share your heart with us at the Saturday Soiree Blog Party. //faithalongtheway.com. Many blessings to you!
Kathryn says
Love finding new communities and new fun stuff to read – will definitely stop by your blog party – thanks!!
Nannette and The Sweetheart says
As I am reading your post I see a notification on my ipad that you have just commented on mine, lol. How funny is that? Loved this today…I like new beginnings too, love change (most of the time) such as I love the new seasons of life. God’s opportunity to renew us! Amen.
Kathryn says
Ha! You must also be an early morning writer? I’ve found that 4am (unfortunately) is the only quiet hour in my house, so I have to take advantage of it when I can.
Nannette and The Sweetheart says
Yes, I am, but for the last seven weeks I have been in Northern Europe, Estonia, as missionary furlough replacements. So my time is not your time, ha. We head back to the States this Sunday. Blessings to you.
betsydecruz says
Hi Kathryn, I’m visiting you too from Testimony Tuesday. I can so relate because we live and serve in the Mid East, and just a few weeks ago we learned that our 9 month furlough has been bumped up from 2016 to 2015. So all of a sudden we’re facing lots of change a lot sooner than expected. I’m trying to stay flexible.
Kathryn says
Good luck and stay hopeful! Maybe God has something special in mind with this revised timeline. Think about the opportunities…
Holly Barrett says
Love the idea that new beginnings are God’s opportunity to renew us. Sometimes I just wish I didn’t need so much renewal! LOL Great words to remind us to choose joy as we follow Him. Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday!
Kathryn says
Me too! Sometimes I pray ‘haven’t I learned enough yet?’, but clearly I haven’t. Ha!
kristine says
Hi Kathryn! Visiting friend from Compel, here! Just what I needed to read today. I’m headed up to school to organize my classroom. Now I can tackle the job with renewed excitement:)
Kathryn says
Good luck in the school year! Just think what opportunities lay before you! Thanks for visiting!
sarahgirl3 says
I love your perspective! I think change is hard for most of us because of fear of the unknown, but I would love for it to get easier 🙂
Kathryn says
I’m trying to retrain my brain to think of the unknown as a land of opportunity instead of fear – but it’s hard… The more I practice and remind myself, the easier it’s getting. I think that’s probably why I’ve been prompted to spend the next few months writing about it 🙂 must be big changes ahead!
Kathleen says
Thank you for a great post. I too have trouble with change, but am encouraged by your post. I too have left heel marks in the sand throughout certain times in my life. Eons ago I made a speech in my senior year of high school and called it Search for a new Beginning—at the time I only felt it had to do with graduating high school, now, after years of experience, I realize we are always searching for a new beginning and sometimes a new beginning finds us:) I am glad I found you on the link up.
Kathy
Kathryn says
Glad you stopped by! Hope you’ll come back in September when I’m starting a series on this topic of change and how we can better respond to it. It’s been a process to train myself to respond differently – and I don’t always get it right – but trying to see change as opportunity.
Juliet says
The school year here in England does not start until September but this year for the first time in a long time that won’t affect me. My younger daughter is off to Universtiy in October and I will then officially begin Empty Nesting! A testing new beginning but you challenge me to welcome it and I’m going to give that my best shot. Thanks for the encouragement.
Kathryn says
My oldest is just starting first grade, so empty nesting sounds like a distant dream – although I know the years will fly by! Best of luck in your adjustment – and in embracing the opportunities this change will bring 🙂
Barbie says
I am late at responding to The Weekend Brew link up. I am so glad you shared this post. I am facing some pretty intense changes in my life, which to my natural eyes appear very negative. I want to see through the eyes of faith, believing that God has amazing opportunities waiting for me on the other side. Blessings!