• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Resources
  • Other Writing
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

Breathe and Begin Again

time to start noticing again

Beginning, Faith

Notice: noun. the fact of observing or paying attention to something

I feel like time stopped sometime back in March. I’m sure I’m not the only one. And here we are, 9 months later, wondering where the year has gone.  So much has changed- how we work, go to school, do the groceries, interact with friends, family and community. Our world and how we function in it has fundamentally and profoundly changed.

I’ve been keeping a journal since, well, forever….but especially during this past year. Something about processing on paper gives me perspective. Even so, time seems to have escaped me and here we are in October with no sign of Before or of some kind of definitive ending point. I’m starting to think that there won’t be an actually ending point, just a strange morphing into whatever is going to be.

Everything requires so much thought now. If we were living in a time crunch before, now we have that plus all of the questions that go along with it….are they open? do I need a mask? what is the risk here? is it worth it? should I just put it off?

Some days I am just so weary from the weight of decision making and I wish we could either go back in time to Before, or move on ahead quickly to the New Normal.  When I flipped my calendar to October, I just couldn’t believe it was already here. We are in a free fall now to the holidays and the new year ahead. The holidays coming up will bring another burst of decision making as we prepare how to gather.

I can’t keep living my life holding my breath, waiting for things to return to normal.

I want to notice the changing of the seasons, the leaves turning to gold and the air turning crisp. I want to notice the kindness of strangers, the smile above the mask. I want to notice those who are struggling, the worry lines and dark circles under their eyes, because I want to look them in the eyes and say, I see you. I want to notice the people in my sphere, to really see them, and offer kindness.

I can’t fix covid. I can’t fix uncertainty, the political climate or the riots, but I can breathe in the air of  a new day, smile back at others, offer a hand and a prayer to those who are struggling. I can make a phone call, write a note of encouragement, share and laugh. We can still gather, carefully.

And I can have hope, because God is still God.  He is not taken by surprise. He is not wringing His hands in worry and He hasn’t lost control . Our days still matter. Today matters.

Heavenly Father, 

You have given us the day, with all of its challenges and blessings. Open our eyes to Your hand at work and to the Holy Spirit’s whisper in our hearts. Help us to notice where we can make a difference, where we can serve, and how we can be a reflection of Your goodness. In Jesus’ name we pray.

 

What I’m reading right now: Your Story Matters by Leslie Fields Leyland

Quote: ….writing the truest words we can find from our lives can order our chaotic present, help us make sense of a jumbled past, move us from grief to hope.

 

Share
Tweet
Pin
0 Shares

October 12, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Subscribe to get the latest

By subscribing to our newsletter, you consent to receive new post updates and occasional promotional emails related to our company.

« a new month with more questions than answers
there is certainty in our uncertainty »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Stay up to date

Would you like content delivered to your inbox?

By subscribing you will receive my posts in your inbox. You can unsubscribe anytime. I promise to respect your privacy.

Recent Posts

  • there is certainty in our uncertainty
  • time to start noticing again
  • a new month with more questions than answers
  • the real inside
  • new year’s resolutions

Archives

  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • April 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018

Categories

  • Beginning
  • Faith
  • Health
  • Holiday
  • Productivity
  • Rest
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness
  • Writing

Browse by Category

rachel.latham.writer

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in you I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. Psalm 119:147-148
#powersheets #breatheandbeginagain #hopewriters #powersheets #breatheandbeginagain #hopewriters
Every day lately seems a mix of light and dark. Ha Every day lately seems a mix of light and dark. Hard things press in and it takes intentional effort to focus on the light.  But there is light and it is far more powerful than the dark. #breatheandbeginagain
Christmas cards have fallen away for a long time a Christmas cards have fallen away for a long time and I’ve hung on to the tradition. Maybe this year it should be revived? Maybe a thoughtful letter enclosed in a card that brings words of hope is just the thing. Maybe we could even expand out of our usual lists and look for those in our church or community that could use the extra love ❤️ #breatheandbeginagain #athrillofhope #hopewriters
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · anchored theme by Restored 316