• 

Does it take greater effort to stop or to start? I’m talking physics here, my friends – which I know this old nurse has absolutely no business talking about. Especially not in public. But seriously … which do you think requires more energy?

Well, after spending an embarrassing amount of time this morning trying to find a simple answer to that apparently not-so-simple question, I’m just going to spare both my dignity and my foggy brain cells by declaring that “starting” takes more effort.

At least in Debi’s world, anyways.

And it’s for that very reason that I prefer to just keep moving. Press through whatever threatens to stop me. Always pushing myself forward. Because honestly, I’ve learned through life that if you don’t ever stop, then trying to start again won’t be a problem, now will it?

Yet here I am today – over a year has gone by since you and I last struggled through my rambling thoughts together.

Honestly, I can’t even explain what really happened. I just know that somehow, through God’s sovereignty, I was stopped. Silenced. Hushed. No writing for over a year. In fact, I was stopped so hard that I couldn’t even look at my own website or read my old posts.

I just couldn’t.

But now, through God’s nurturing grace, He’s led me back here again. And it feels good – it does. It’s time to start fresh.

So here we sit.

You and I together once again.

A bit awkwardly, I admit.

There’s much to say.

But it’s too much for today’s strength.

So … can this just be enough?

For us to have had a start?

For you to know that I’m still here?

That it’s been painful being away?

And even more painful as God’s led me back?

Does it help to know that I still love Jesus?

Even more now than before?

And that I still love you?

And I pray you know His hope?

That you rest confidently as His child?

That you’re so secure in your salvation that nothing can possibly shake you?

Even in this dark and jaded world?

That I pray you can see yourself as He sees you –

As worthy and cherished and rejoiced over?

Did you catch that? It bears repeating:

You are worthy and cherished and rejoiced over!

No matter how useless your darkness may leave you feeling.

Ignore Satan’s lies.

And do you know that you do nothing alone?

I sure pray you know this.

Do you also know that you can listen for His whispers to guide you?

That when He says, “Come follow me,” you can hold tight to His hand?

And let His glory alone fill your vision?

And that you can face forever forward, and not ever back?

That you need never go back?

Not once you’re His, my friends.

And finally, do you know that there’s beauty in the midst of your pain?

There has to be because Jesus is with you there.

Even in all those stops and starts that deflate you.

He’s right there.

His beauty radiates from Him.

You’ll see it, if you look for it.

I just pray that you can remember.

Especially when you’re weary from your swirl of chaos.

Seek out that beauty.

You’ll find strength and hope there.

Peace.

Rest.

Healing.

So do you see?

There is still much for us to talk about here.

But that’s for another day.

For today, let’s just be thankful and encouraged.

We’ve been blessed enough to be given this precious fresh start.

Thanks for growing with me. ❤

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” – Isaiah 43:18-19a

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11