Skipping the last 3 months of 2020 won’t work. Nor, can we use a mulligan for the first 9 months. But, the next 90 days can be amazing, even if the first 335 were terrible. Your whole 2020 story matters—unexpected twists, conflict, competing storylines, your message, every part is important—and we get to decide the ending. We’re brave enough to start again, it’s who we are.
2020 isn’t over yet
Imagine if 10 years ago an author published a book about surviving a global pandemic, economic shutdown, food shortages, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, months-long riots, and general government dysfunction—unrealistic fiction, right? Absolutely, unless you’ve endured this year.
And, 2020 isn’t over yet.
The idea of what else could happen this year is unnerving. Honestly, I don’t think any of us feel like winners based on our current circumstances. What would it take for you to feel like a “winner” in life right now?
We come from a long line of women who were brave enough to start again.
What if you choose to be brave enough to start again? What can you accomplish if you focus on how God’s working in your life for the next 3 months?
Lessons on starting over from our spiritual godmothers
A drought ravaged the entire region. Families were on the verge of starvation. Without a last-ditch effort to buy food from a neighboring nation, they would all surely die.
The plan worked so well the families were given the chance to move, start over, and live comfortably. (Insert the plot twist for Joseph’s family when they are reunited with their presumably dead brother in Egypt.) They started over in Egypt. (Genesis 42-47)
Sounds great, right? And it was for hundreds of years until the Hebrews became a threat to the Egyptians. The years leading up to the exodus are marred by the murder of babies, hard labor, and constant death threats. Time to start over again. (Exodus 1)
Imagine hiking and camping for 40 years with millions of people who apparently have to learn every lesson the hard way. Would you have been the “good” one who tried to do everything right, the “realist” who couldn’t believe the promises, or the “maverick” who was skating along, trying to do just enough not to end up on the outside?
Eventually, our spiritual godmothers started over in the Promised Land. Once again, they set up homes and businesses. They raised children and livestock. And while their husbands were away at war, they were the ones God trusted to care for everything. (Deuteronomy 3:19-20)
Our spiritual godmothers were leaders. They were brave enough to start again, and again, and again. Their heritage of strength has been handed down to you and me.
Perfectly imperfect spiritual godmothers
Just like us, there were times when their faith was tested. Sometimes, their decisions were good and other times their decisions were not.
Throughout their lives, these women faced the same kinds of trials we face today. Death and illness touched their lives. Natural disasters assaulted the land. There was never really peace amongst the nations. And most notably, they struggled with life’s choices as well.
In God’s family, there are prophetesses, philanthropists, prostitutes, adulteresses, and those who doubted, hurt, questioned, and obeyed.
They made mistakes and had to seek repentance. We all make mistakes.
Their lives are marked by choices, consequences, grit, and grace. Ours is a heritage of strength. When you choose to be brave and start again, you’re not just doing it for yourself. You’re honoring the women who have gone before us and inspiring those who will follow behind.
Are you brave enough to start again?
If we’re being honest…reflecting on how life feels, resetting our internal monologue, and refocusing our lives is a weighty proposition. We’re left with a vulnerability hangover.
Becoming who you are meant to be is worth the pain.
Either we allow this year to slip away, or we choose to be brave and start again. We owe this to ourselves, the women who came before us, and the ones who will follow behind. The year’s not over. Quite frankly, 90 days is long enough to count, short enough to be achievable, and gives enough cushion to mess up a few times.
I’d love to tell you we’re going to make a checklist and everything will turn out great, but that’s not likely. Instead, we’re setting ourselves up with the ability to try, fail, pivot, adjust, try again, take a break, and keep moving forward.
Brave & strong, it’s who you are
Who do you want to be?
No matter how hard you try, you can only ignore God’s plans for so long. There will never be a perfect time to start or change or start over. Let’s decide to be brave enough to start again, today.
You’re brave and strong, it’s who you are.
What 1 goal can you achieve in the next 3 months to make 2020 amazing and be proud of who you’re becoming?
2020 is not a lost cause. Neither of us wants to look back and regret wasting time on things we couldn’t change.
Read the full series and start your own 2020 Reboot:
Pause and Reflect
Reset Your Internal Monologue
Know When to Refocus
Brave Enough to Start Again, It’s Who We Are
![For the regular days...
Yesterday, we celebrated the mamas. But I have some hesitance about the day on behalf of those for whom the day is hard. For those who will face disappointment, longing, or loneliness.
Here's to regular days, the ones that come right after the "important" days, the days we might feel overlooked or unappreciated.
Here's to Monday mornings when you get up with the sun and get to work, whatever that looks like for you.
Here's to having hard conversations and making hard decisions.
Here's to doing what needs done, whatever that means and wherever it takes you.
Here's to doing what you're meant to do.
[Caroline is traveling with me this week in Guatemala. She's my assistant on this trip.]](https://scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/280158713_1358881094613296_3621727649573332245_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=duBTgZ_t7EYAX-t81l9&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=AM6HXa8EAAAA&oh=00_AfB0DJU-rZtZ4AiySx_1Z9ZTE9R3FMu7VuAocA5xigGIcw&oe=6493C8EA "Brave Enough To Start Again It S Who We Are Your Reboot")
