I’ve long been fascinated by the idea of a fresh start. By the jolt of joy found in a newly rearranged bedroom or the feeling of a new dress that fits just right. It’s in the perfection of a recently cleaned kitchen, the bounce of a new haircut, and the crisp feel of the air on that day in October when the weather drops ten degrees and you know fall has arrived.
I crave that feeling daily: of newness, of happiness, of possibility. When the repetition of backpack packing, shoe tying, email answering, and laundry fold-ing begins to make me feel stale, I crave the change of pace, the reminder I am still a girl wild at heart and an adventurer. When the responsibilities of adulting and mothering and homekeeping begin to feel extra heavy, I crave lightness, joy, and laughter. When the concerns of the world and of our fellow humans feel too complex to process, I crave truth and guidance, strong and steady. The feeling is not only electric, but it inspires action, movement, and growth. It’s the perfect kick- start to a busy day, the perfect shift to nudge us back on track.
Reflecting on this feeling invites us to remember what it feels like to be deeply alive, to laugh with abandon, to seek out adventure, and to revel in delight.
Even when our hair is weeks overdue for a new cut or the temperature is push-ing 100 degrees, the feeling of hope brings us the perspective to believe that anything is possible and the knowledge that joy and delight surround us at every turn, if we pause long enough to see them.
I’ve learned that feeling of freshness, of renewal, and of joy can be found not only in rearranged spaces and day one of our new workout routine, but also when we slow down enough to savor the goodness the Lord has already given us, when we pause to reflect on the everyday magic already happening around us. It’s in these ordinary moments that we best see God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, grace, and steadiness.
