BEgin Again

Great Sunday Evening!

I pray that your new week is off to an amazing start.

I almost entitled this week’s blog post “Start Over,” but God said, They are not starting over. They are beginning again.

Sometimes we can feel like we’re in a loop—stuck on a wheel, doing the same things over and over again. We can begin to believe that no one sees us, cares about what we do, or even notices the things we faithfully do each day.

But I want to encourage you with this truth:

Nothing—NO thing—is wasted.

Your ability to continue doing the same things over and over again—making the lunches, cooking the dinner, exercising, speaking life over your children, your husband, and your family before they walk out the door each morning—is consistency.

And consistency is powerful.

It is a consistent force that lets the enemy know:

My children are prayed for.
My spouse is prayed for.
My family is prayed for.
They are covered.
They are blessed.

There is a hedge of protection around them that will not be penetrated today.

Your actions are saying:

I love you unconditionally, whether you acknowledge me or not.

I am here.

And today, I am choosing to be here again.

To pray again.
To believe again.
To build again.

That isn't starting over.

That's beginning again.

And there is a difference.

Beginning again means that what you did before still mattered. The lessons mattered. The prayers mattered. The sacrifices mattered. The growth mattered.

Nothing was wasted.

So as we go into this week, here are some Strategies, Connections & Words for you:

STRATEGY

Wake up a few minutes early to spend some time in prayer, in the Word, and making declarations over yourself.

Do something that builds you up as a person—not just the titles you wear or the responsibilities you carry.

Exercise. Listen to a favorite song. Worship. Write. Color. Knit. Sit quietly. Whatever helps you reconnect with yourself and with God.

Even five minutes of self-acknowledgment can strengthen you mentally and emotionally as you head into your day.

You matter, too.

CONNECTIONS

Find or create at least one way to connect with the people in your life this week.

It doesn't have to be major.

Add a note to their lunch. Share a scripture. Send a text to a friend you haven't spoken to in a long time. Let someone know you're thinking about them and praying for them.

Ask them how they are doing.

Ask how you can pray for them.

Sometimes, simply knowing that someone sees you, remembers you, and cares enough to reach out can change the trajectory of a person's day.

And there is something incredibly empowering about knowing that your presence, your words, and your prayers can make a difference in someone else's life.

WORDS

Speak these declarations over yourself, your family, and everyone God leads you to speak life over.

And no, this doesn't mean you have to stop someone in the middle of their day and say, “Hey, let me declare a word over you.”

Just begin incorporating these scripture-based truths into your conversations and into the way you speak about yourself and the people you love.

I promise—you won't even have to try.

Once you set your mind to BE, the light of God will begin shining through.

DECLARATIONS:

I am not starting over. I am beginning again.

What I have done before was not wasted. God can use it all.

My prayers matter, even when I cannot yet see the answer.

My consistency matters, even when no one acknowledges it.

I will not despise small beginnings.

I have permission to begin again without shame.

I do not have to have everything figured out to take the next step.

God is with me in this beginning, just as He was with me before.

I am covered by the grace of God for today.

I will continue to pray, believe, build, and show up.

My presence matters. My words matter. My prayers matter.

I am becoming who God has called me to be, one faithful step at a time.

I will not allow what feels repetitive to convince me that it is meaningless.

Nothing—NO thing—is wasted when it is placed in God's hands.

And finally:

I will BEgin Again.

Not because yesterday didn't matter.

But because God is still writing my story.

Things to KNOW:

KNOW that you are loved.

KNOW that you are prayed over and prayed for each week.

Whether you read this blog post the day it is written or years from now, you are prayed for.

And I want to hear from you.

Comment below and let me know how Strategies, Connections & Words is changing your life.

Want to learn more about leading?

Grab a FREE copy of my interview in The Tiny Team Playbook by Leanne Forbes.

Inside, you'll also find a free copy of my newest book:

Lead Well – The 28-Day Love Challenge for Leaders

Grab your free copy here. Available through September 30th.

Until next time—

BEgin Again.

Because you are not starting over.

You are beginning again.