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Happy New Year: Starting Again Does Not Mean Starting Over

January 8, 2021 Leave a Comment

New beginnings have a way of defining us. We begin new jobs, new family structures, new habits, and new visions. There is refreshment in starting something that has been unseen and unexplored. But starting again does not necessarily mean starting over.

When I was young I lived with the assumption that every time I had to start something I was starting over. This mentality carried me into my 20’s and 30’s as I worked and began to raise a family. While there is value in starting from a clean slate, the misconception of starting over can be a tremendous hurdle to forward growth.

As we grow and age there is value in our past. Wisdom comes from living a life with trials and disappointments. Mountaintops and valleys. We work through our difficulties and we grow despite them. This becomes engrained in us and a part of who we are.

When I am talking to my kids about new beginnings, or facing a challenge of a fresh start in my personal life, I find that in remembering the lessons learned are invaluable to the success of the future.

Did I learn what was important to me?

Have I developed character qualities of perseverance, patience, and kindness because of my experience?

What areas did I find I can grow and set more focused goals?

Focusing on these goals and remembering that this “fresh slate” is actually a building block of my story reminds me that starting again isn’t really starting over.

Seasons of life come and go. Each one has a rhythm of its own and each one brings forth beauty unique to our own story.

Let this New Year be one of remembering the hard we have been through. Leaning into the lessons we learned, attitudes we confronted, and beauty we witnessed in the human spirit.

In remembering the kindness and grace, we can start again without starting over.

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Devotion/Morning Meditation· Encouragement· Personal Development

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    I have been a busy working mom for quite some time.  I have three children and a steady career as an educator.  I understand the balance of  sleepless nights, guilt over putting my child in daycare, and trying to maintain and thrive in a career I love.  Read more…

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    Happy New Year!! We pray that as you move into thi Happy New Year!! We pray that as you move into this next year you anticipate the peace and faithfulness of God! He has not forgotten you! He loves you always!! Much love to you!💕 #hope #christianmama #familytime #newyear #faithlife
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    I am not going to lie. The past couple of months h I am not going to lie. The past couple of months have been INTENSE! Two veteran teachers thrown into teaching from a computer, three kids at brand new schools learning from a computer...and the world around us.
We were able to pause the past few days and catch our breath and enjoy the beautiful wonder of this season in the Willamette Valley.
To say God is good seems cliche, but in this season these are the words that bring tears to my eyes and a song to my weary heart. There has been good in the hard, blessing in the struggle, and peace in the chaos.
If you haven’t been on my blog recently—come on over to lauraesumpter.com (link in bio) and find encouragement and some cool new content! You might want to sign up for my email list as there are surprises coming in the next few weeks.
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    These two hats have been on my back porch the past These two hats have been on my back porch the past few years. This week I kept walking past them and was reminded of the tremendous sacrifice firefighters all across Oregon  are making for our state.
My daddy was a part of several wildfire teams for many years. I watched him pack his bags and cried as he left into danger. I remember mom watching the mail and news for updates, weather forecasts, and containment numbers. He traveled far and wide saving and rescuing.
As we pray for them, let’s not forget their families. Their sacrifice to send their loved one into harms way takes bravery and courage. It takes allowing for rest and healing upon their return home. It takes readjustment to whatever the “new” normal becomes. May they all know how much we appreciate their sacrifice and may God surround them with a safe return and recovery!!💕💕 #oregonwildfires #motherhood  #prayfororegon
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