Every beginning starts with an end. The beginning of living my God-sized dream started with the end of a career. The beginning of my day starts with the end of the night. The beginning of whatever it is that God has next for me will start with the end of the part of the race I’m on now. We’re not running sprints – and sometimes it doesn’t even feel like a marathon. It feels like a relay race, each part of the race coming together to form the whole. No part meant to be run simultaneously, but one right after the other, with fresh legs and a clear head.
My mornings might begin with the smell of bacon on the stove, but the next leg of my race? That will begin when I open my hands and let go of where I’ve been. I’ll take what I’ve learned, the time, the experiences, the practice, the failures and successes, knowing that God will use them all to make me stronger and more effective in His kingdom – but I won’t drag them along with me.
And I’ll trust His timing, knowing that God knows exactly when I’m ready to start the next leg. In the meantime, I’ll be an encourager, cheerleader, coach, friend, taking time to learn from those around me and share what I’ve learned so that when it’s time? I’ll be ready to begin.
Zoe, Micah & Jackson? You were a delight to see on the live chat! That little shout-out to bacon is all for you! I hope you’ll write and share your stories and illustrations with us, too! And Lisa-Jo … there are no words. I adore you more than ever. Thanks for inviting &including us in your life and your words until the very last. Here’s to new beginnings 🙂
Beautiful metaphors and message, Crystal.
Honestly? I could have stopped with the quote on your graphic and clicked away with my heart touched. I need that one on a sign in my office! But I’m so glad I kept reading because your words always stir my heart somehow. I kept hearing the words from “Closing Time” while I was contemplating this prompt: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Love you!
Praying that we are all ready to begin in whatever new season or chapter God has us in! Love your heart, girl!
This part: “when I open my hands and let go of where I’ve been”. That’s the part I needed, the part I’m taking. Thanks Crystal.
“open my hands and let go of where i’ve been” oh sister…I needed to read those words. I’ve got tears welling in my eyes. Oh i needed that encouragement. Thank you for reminding me about beginnings, how they aren’t always easy, there is usually a finishing but i also liked your reminder about the relay rather then the sprint or marathon. Thank you. Always love heading over here to read your thoughts 😉
C-
I am sending your link to a friend I spoke with yesterday. A mom friend who is returning to work because her husband is losing his job. Our journeys are far bigger and harder than we can cope with at times, but God knows. We are both runner moms so she will appreciate the analogy here! Have a wonderful race, walk, or run today whatever the Friday may bring! <3 JKC
You! (Insert big smooshy hug here) 🙂
Yes. Yes. Ready, set, go.
I can’t wait to see what He has next. You, too?
Blessings, Crystal …
I love what you said about Him seeing where the race is going. (I might have paraphrased that just a wee bit.) 😉 I needed that reminder tonight. Love and hugs, sweet sister…just a few months until an (in)RL hug!!! Blessings. 🙂
Such truth: to begin one season, we must end another. It’s not until we let go of where we’ve been that we can move forward to the next chapter God has for us. So blessed to be in #fmfparty community with you tonight! And: bacon!!!
Crystal, your post embodies what I wrote on last week with: Finish. I had never considered how intricately entwined these two words are in our lives. Loved your take on it!
Love this Crystal! The idea of our lives being a relay race is so perfect. Some legs are just harder and others fly by. Love being in community and love that we share and encourage! Happy weekend!
A relay race!! Yes, that is exactly what my life has felt like, though not always on fresh legs. I like this idea so much better than a marathon. Sometimes we are the ones running hard, but sometimes we have to trust that someone else will do the hard running for us. So good and a wonderful word to end my day and begin my night. Sleep well, friend!
Bacon….priceless!
But really, there’s so much truth here. Beginnings can be extraordinarily difficult because they do always start with an ending. And I’ve been in that place where I’m fighting the ending so hard. I can’t see the beginning, and I want to stay in the comfortable. But letting God take control….hard as it is…always, ALWAYS worth it.