Letting Go of the Past

Isaiah 43:18-19

“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.”

Starting over in life in never easy, regardless what age you might be. I remember in my early twenties; I wanted nothing more than to have my own business. I was tired of working for others and wanted to venture out on my own, so when the opportunity came to take over a local gymnastics company, I jumped at the chance.

My children had been attending for years and I knew several of the coaches personally that were willing to stay on, so it seemed like an effortless transition. Within the first year, I had doubled the number of students attending, added a competitive gymnastics league and a cheerleading league. At first, I was able to balance everything, teaching classes in the mornings while my children were in school. But after a while, the hours began to take a toll on me and my family. Eight hour days turned into fourteen hour days and my office turned into a playroom for my children. And in order to hire more instructors, I would have had to give up the little income I was making, as most of my money was being poured back into the company for new equipment. It was a hard decision to make but after two years, I had to admit defeat and sell my dream.

Fast forward twenty plus years, and here I am again, trying to start over with yet another dream of mine…being a writer. During the last two years of my writing journey, I have questioned myself and my abilities at least a hundred times, if not more. I would lay out my vision, begin taking the necessary steps and then hit a crossroad, not knowing the best direction to go. Ultimately feeling lost, I would become frustrated and ready to give up due to the doubts that would seep in based on past attempts and failures in my life.

Isaiah 43:18-19 reminds me that we are not to hold onto things of the past. That past failures do not define our future or God’s plan for us. When we let go of the past and embrace what God has set before us, He is then able to do the work in us so that we can achieve what He planted a long time ago. Two years ago, God presented me with the idea of sharing my stories and experiences though writing. He was creating a new path in my life for me and all I needed to do was trust and believe that He would make a way. It is such a comfort knowing that He helps me find my way when I feel lost at a crossroad in the wilderness and that He allows my words to flow just like a river in the dessert.