(My 1st Post!)
I’ve had some bad beginnings.
Like my lip sync debut my freshman year in college. We practiced for days to do a song and dance routine to “Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes. (NOT an endorsement – haha!) It was to be in front of the WHOLE school. At the beginning of our performance…somewhere between swinging left and stepping right…I froze and forgot all the dance moves!
It was humiliating.
Especially later when my dance partner gave me the side-eye and said, “You totally blanked.” Ugh.
But there have been some great beginnings too.
Like motherhood.
I remember, some 9 years ago, I was shopping at Kohl’s with my hubby. One of us seriously needed some new undies – we won’t say who. Somehow, in the midst of undie-shopping, I ended up on the phone with one of my dear friends, wondering aloud if I was ready to have kids. (How I ended up having such an important life discussion in Kohl’s, I don’t know!)
I wanted to start a family, but I was scared. I didn’t feel ready.
And you know what? I wasn’t.
Who can be?
But we started our family anyway. And it has brought about a whole new kind of wonderful in our lives. THAT was an amazing beginning.
100% of Successes Involve Actually BEGINNING the New Thing 😉
What about you?
Do you have something new you are facing?
Are there fears that hold you back?
You’re not alone. I can relate. The truth is new ventures may flop. But they may also turn into wonderful successes! You will never know unless you begin.
Sometimes beginnings feel like trying to climb up a mountain through mud. You can’t see the top. Your feet keep slipping backward, and you often wonder if your efforts are worth it.
Right now, I am in the midst of another new beginning. Writing this first blog post.
Without. A. Blog.
Yep, you read that right. As I am writing this, I have a domain that is a blank slate.
Did you notice the word “Grace” at the top of this webpage? Oh boy do I need it.
I knew that blogging would be hard work. But I sensed that God was leading me to do it and asking me to trust Him with the details.
A 7-Word Prayer That Will Help You Take the First Steps
So here I am, three weeks in to preparing to launch this blog.
Oh my goodness.
There is a LOT to learn. And it takes some money to start, of course. I’m waiting on that as I type this. I’m getting set up on social media and, today, after trying and failing 3 times to get a certain social media business account set up, my head started spinning.
Of course, that meant I needed to eat some cereal and pray. (Alright, alright, the cereal wasn’t necessary.)
I talked to God about how I need His Grace. I need Him to give me the knowledge and understanding required to make this succeed. I need Him to provide the money. Then I told Him, “I trust you. This is your deal.”
And I took the next step. I began writing this post.
“I trust you. This is your deal.”
Those two sentences have helped me keep pushing forward with this new beginning.
I made the decision to trust that He will work it all out. I decided to keep moving forward. And even though I have already begun researching and prepping for this blog, beginning writing is the scariest part. But here I am…by God’s grace…writing to you.
What thing is on your mind to begin? I’d love to hear. Share it in the comments below!
Expect Insecurities, But Keep Going
The last 3 weeks I have had so many insecurities tempt me in my personal “new beginning”.
- Can I really do this?
- What if I spend all this money and time and fail?
- What if I end up being a hypocrite?
- What if I don’t have enough to write about?
- What if my MOM reads this? (Hi mom! 👋 )
In the past I would have let some of those thoughts haunt me and worry me for days…or even make me quit.
But you know what? By God’s grace, I have not allowed any of those “bullet trains” to continue down the track. I have stopped each thought process and declared to God that I trust Him.
“I trust you. This is your deal.”
It has allowed me to keep going.
To be hopeful.
To move through fear and begin.
The one thing at which I’m truly an expert is needing Jesus. But that is enough. And it is enough for you too.
Let’s quit letting the enemy of our lives steal our courage, our hope, our joy, our fun…or keep us from forging ahead with new beginnings. Let’s do this….motherhood, marriage, homemaking, healthy living, whatever good thing it is…by the Grace of God.
I look forward to walking this road with you!
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Thank you for being here.
And…welcome to Grace & Coffee Cups!
Jennifer
“But God said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!”
2 Corinthians 12:9