If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! In today’s P31 devo, I shared about my new normal when my children began to leave the nest. But let’s be real. Starting any new season can be a challenge and often involves letting go. It’s hard, but it’s often the beginning of a brand new chapter. . .
Letting go
The words “letting go” almost feel romantic. Like we’re about to soar into a grand adventure. In reality, letting go can be scary. It can leave you feeling vulnerable and uncertain.
The other day I sat with a friend. She moved to this area to start a new job in a new city. Her oldest child left at the same time for college. The new job required new skills.
New job.
New city.
New church.
New friends.
New things to learn.
New season of motherhood.
Welcome to your new chapter
As she shared her story, she confessed that she had no idea how much her identity was ingrained in her role as a mom with children at home, in her previous job, and even in her daily routine with friends, nearby family, and church.
Who am I now?
That was her question. She was willing to learn the answer to that question, but it felt daunting.
I’ve been in that place many times.
If I look back I find lots of letting go
I let go of security for a new season of independence.
I let go of a broken childhood to believe I could be a good mom.
I let go of a job that felt familiar to become a writer and speaker.
I let go of past hurts and insecurities to feel comfortable in my own skin.
[bctt tweet=”A new season of letting go doesn’t mean that God has let go of his plans for us. #livingfreetogether https://wp.me/p4jbdw-4Dp” username=”suzanneeller”]
I’ve let go of safe places to step into new roles and new adventures, knowing I might fall flat on my face, and learned what I was capable of (but with a ton of learning curves along the way).
Rather than seeing letting go as a negative, I began to see each of these as chapters in my life story.
A new season doesn’t mean that God let’s go of his plans for us. He uses every drop of our past chapters. Nothing’s wasted in his economy. He uses everything we’ve ever learned. Every failure. Every victory. Every awkward, shaky step forward. Every new role. It all adds up and somehow plays into the next chapter.
Are you in the process of letting go?
If you are in a season of letting go — whatever it is — you are still you and God is still God. In the midst of all the change, you can hang on to that. We may not always know what is ahead, but we can be assured we are good ground if we are following Jesus.
Suzie
Related Resources
My book, Come With Me Devotional: A Yearlong Adventure in Following Jesus, helps you walk with Jesus day-by-day, encouraging you in every part of your life.
Also, The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith Without Borders, will remind you that you have a Helper every step of the way.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
When you are entering a new normal, it’s the perfect time to:
- Share your uncertainty with God. He cares for you.
- Praise God for the good of the past. He cares about that, too.
- Open your heart to a new adventure.
- Accept the invitation to follow Jesus day-by-day, as you walk into this new season.
Q: What excites you about a “new normal” in life? How can we pray for you?
Thank you for this timely message.
It is a God send! My youngest daughter is starting college this fall.
I have struggled accepting new normals , but God has always been with me along the way.
Your message has given me strength and faith that God is with us as each new chapter begins.
Thank you.
Blessings to you and your ministry.
Annie
Thank you Suzie, your devotion this morning meets me right where I am and actually have been for some time………
An empty nester of some years, but more recently a retiree I am struggling to find my worth and place in this storage place of emptiness………please pray for God to reveal purpose for this season and reignite passion which has dwindled….
Thank you
At 61 I am still going through “new normals” but God has been faithful and each new normal brings so much more than we could every imagine.
Transitions truly are a “Great New Adventure” with God. We just need to keep our eyes, ears, mind and heart open and get ready for God tomake His goodness show up. Even difficult, sad or trying experience He uses for our good and His glory.
Many blessings.
thanks Suzie,,, the term ‘new normal’ seems (to me) came from when folks had unhappy .. negative situations come into their lives.. either by their own choices or the choices of others.or just what life hands us..
But your advice to see it from a different angle.. ‘to re-frame it’ as I’d say it.. is a great way to come up higher … and look for what’s ahead with an eye on the positive rather
than regret or have remorse for what ‘we’ve lost ” leaving the past behind..
I also love the words you wrote about the past is never wasted.. IF we’ve learned from it.. and that’s the hard part to .. ‘look for the good in a seemingly not-so-good-situation or
relationship even the relationship of our own body (5 senses) soul (mind-emotions-will) and spirit .. I’ve found that all three of me body. soul & spirit have to be in harmony with
each other..and ‘then’..I can be in step with the Trinity.
Thanks for your great reminders..
It’s a great way to just live in the moment to moment existence with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.
blessings.. Joy H
Letting Go seems to be a theme in my life over the last two years. I am finding there are layers to this process as well. I am there again with my children. I am there in life with many changes going on at once. It seems as though letting go is needed daily. God is helping me let go of deep wounds for miraculous healing. He is giving me strength to let go of fears and helping me let others see my process more. Thank you for this sweet and encouraging word this morning. I needed that start to my day. Love you, Suzie!
God spoke to me through you today.
I’m so glad, Erin.
This is so timely for me. I have recently retired and am in a huge season of “letting go”. Your tweet spoke such hope to me! As I try to find my new purpose I will rest in the knowledge that God still is in control. My hope is in Him!
God knew I needed this this morning. My husband and I have moved to a new city. I was so excited we are empty nesters and I felt like this would be a very exciting time. Well, I never dreamed it would be so hard for me to find a job. I worked for a small school for 15 years and knew everyone in our community. I know this will pass. I am just struggling daily with feelings of not being enough or not being qualified. I wanted a job in the same field but God may not have that planned for me. Also searching for a new church home is overwhelming as well. I want to be where God is leading. Please pray for me and that I will stay positive in this new adventure and find the joy in the small things daily and that I will continue to trust that the Lord has the perfect for me job and a church family that will accept us and love us and that we can serve and worship with.
I remember showing up a new church nearly five years ago after being part of a church family for decades. It was so unfamiliar. It meant that I had to be intentional about making new friendships, which comes more naturally for some than it does others. <3 Five years later, I’m so thankful I’m where I’m at. It was a new chapter and a beautiful one, though it took time to make the transition. Praying for you as God pencils in his new chapter over your life.
❤️thank you
I’m working on growing my freelance writing business and am scared of all the responsibility involved–and worried I’ll never be able to manage the work involved when it seems I never have enough time even where I am right now. (I tend to get frazzled and waste extra time in distraction and double-checking.) Prayers much appreciated.
My new “Normal” is taking care of my “aging” mother, with help from two of my sisters. Her mind is failing, and its just so hard to not get frustrated each and every time I see her or talk to her. So I covet your prayers in this new season! She wants to stay in her house, which is ok, but it’s scary! We are trying very hard to help and not take control from her.
Oh Dori, we are in that same season. We just lost my husband’s father this year due to Alzheimers, and his mother fell and broke her leg and had to have surgery. It’s such an uncertain place to be. Absolutely new territory. Lord, be with Dori. Help her as she cares for her mother, along with her sisters. Give her grace and insight right where she is. Show her what’s hers to do and what’s not (which can be so hard). Thank you for this mama. Give her peace, Father. It’s hard to be older and to receive care. It’s hard when your mind isn’t working like it once did. Bring grace upon grace over every person involved. In Jesus’ name.
This! This word preaches powerfully! There are so many thoughts, memories, emotions, wishes, prayers, highlights, smiles, tears … all wrapped up in this devo today. How grateful I am for the reminder that each new chapter is only a new thing, … not starting from scratch with Jesus. He is ever with me, ever beside/in front of/behind me on my journey, and He cherishes each moment, each step. What joy to experience these new things with the One who will never change or move away.
I am trying to lean to let go of my 32 year old son who is back home living. It is hard because of the mistakes he has made in his life. I am giving it to God and that is all I can do at this point. I know that God is in control of the situation and will keep him safe.
Oh Susie, i’m thankful for your post today. I’ve been in a new season for two years. It has been filled with exciting things that I was expecting, as well as spiritual growth and unimaginable heartbreak.
What excites me about the new normal is that God is bringing to light that person that he designed – before I was even born. I’m in the crux of him taking me even deeper.
I need prayer to let go of something that I’ve held on tightly to for many years. It has gotten in his way. He recently brought this to my attention when I fell and broke my shoulder in four places – my dominant side, of course. In this quiet time of not being able to do anything, he’s been showing me areas where I need to let go so that I can affectively accomplish what he has designed for me to do.
Suzie, I love that God has allowed you to be part of my journey, through the Come With Me study, your blog posts, and now with your newest book that our women’s group will be studying next. Being able to walk and be led by the Holy Spirit is a game changer. It’s the difference of stepping into our destinies and making a life changing difference in others. Thank you for praying that God will help me to let go of this one specific area. I’m praying for you too.
Thank you for this!
I’m currently in a situation where I have to decide where I am going to live. I’m torn between two places and have been afraid I’ll make the wrong choice. I’ve been trying to pray and pray about it, but am having a hard time understanding what God wants. There is such a battle going on. Whichever place I move to there will be challenges that need to be faced and the doors seem to be opening for both. I’m scared one of these towns will bring me back to my old life though, because it was in my past and I think of all the baggage there. It makes me realize I’ve been running away, but not letting go. I feel like I’m not sure how to let go.
dear Alexis thanks for your comments.. and while I can’t give you any suggestions…I can tell you how your comments have helped me make some decisions that reflect your confusion, as well.. one of my decisions re: my traveling…. would put me .. for a while back in the old ‘places’.. and the possibility of going back down that dark road.. but then I think..I could bring light into that situation..and then I feel the tap on my shoulder from Holy Spirit that says. ‘no.. that’s not your appointment”..I’ve learned there are two ways I hear and listen to the Holy Spirit one is like this one. a tap on the shoulder the other is a ‘thump on the head’.. that is usually b/c it’s not the first time I’ve gotten guidance but failed to follow thru..
So.. I thank you for your comments and will pray for you..as I ask you to pray for me as well.. as we both carry out the Lord’s calling on our lives.
I also wanted to seek out ‘others’ input re: my situation but realized that there was no one with whom I could share what needed to be revealed.. so this time I couldn’t go to the phone but rather I went to my prayer room.. lite some candles.. and talked to the Lord. , ranting about how it wasn’t fair.. etc..& cried as the Lord enfolded me in His Arms..and realized that even when everybody lets me down..
even when there is NO body to help me sort thru stuff.. the Lord is the one and only true friend.& only He’s got the answers for me..no matter how helpful others may try to be.
I must also confess that previously I had tried at times..to go back to situations and people in my past.. but truth be told.. they were and I am at very different places and I while I thought I was following Guidance.. the result while not damaging.. certainly took me only one-two weeks to realize that wasn’t God’s Guidance.. so now I try and pay attention to the tap on the shoulder… rather than have to go thru the ‘thump on the head”
thanks again.. your input helped me finalize my decisions. too !
blessings Joy H
Thank you Joy! I don’t know all the situations you’ve been dealing with, but I can relate to all that you said here. This reminded me of how God’s grace never runs out, even if we don’t know which way to choose. He’ll keep on working on our hearts out of love and care. Thanks! This was helpful with my current situation too. I’ll be praying for you
I guess I got to let go of my husband? I don’t want to do that but he doesn’t want to be with me. I was diagnosed with MS last August and our lives changed, I lost my job, my new house and now my husband. On Father’s day he told me that he had it and that I was too much for him and he needed space. He asked me to move out, since it’s just my 7 year old daughter and I. He stayed with his 4 daughters, it’s been almost 2 weeks that we moved out and I saw him yesterday and I told him that I missed him and I wanted to go back with him. He said he was doing great with his daughters, that all he wanted at this time was to be with his daughters only. I am very heartbroken and so sad. What can do?? I feel lost, I got married because I believed in him and our vows, in sickness and in health, till death do us apart. Please pray for me, thank you and God bless you!!
🙁 praying!