We’ve all said this familiar cliche’ too many times, “How time flies!” Right? I said it just this afternoon when thinking about how fast time has flown since my husband retired from the Marine Corps three years ago.
Time for a fresh vision.
Six years ago when I began this blog it was 2010. I still had three children at home. Life was busy and the mom taxi rolled multiple times a day. We were still an active-duty military family stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
We moved back to the States and one by one, children left home for places near and far. 2016 marks the year of our Great Kid Migration. In January, one child traveled to Australia for two years of mission work with YWAM.
Next our son borrowed our mini-van, moving himself to graduate school 10 hours away.
In August, our baby girl headed to college. There was excitement in this mama’s heart because I’m grateful and super proud of all my kids, but there was also a little grief.
Transitions bring new growth.
For the first time in 23 years–nearly half my life–there are no children’s voices filling our home. Sure, I’ll always be a mom, but it’s different. As college drop-off day approached, I wondered how the transition would go. There was this kind of a squishy, unknown question of what’s next. I’m sure many feel this way when kids grow up and leave the nest. However, we’ve been a military family for half my life, bringing a different dynamic to the equation.
24 years of adventures and transitions. With every move, we left friends, and familiar places behind. When you live a transitory life, family becomes your constant. Somehow, after all the moves, it was disconcerting to be the one staying as my children moved away.
To my emotional barometer, it felt like an ending.
We’ve all faced transitions, big and small, as moments sift and sway in the seasons of our lives. But here’s a truth to keep faith fresh:
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#freshfaith #transitions #newbeginnings”]Every transition marks an ending and a ushers a new beginning. [/tweetthis]
This is a new season, part of God’s holy plan and purpose.
As the house empties, the Spirit speaks fresh words to my hungry soul. This is not only is it time for something new for my kids, but it is also a new time for me.
Now is a time for something fresh because God is doing a new thing. For months God has been hinting, beckoning me beyond the present and into to future. This is a time for fresh vision as God refines the focus and heart of the words I write. Imagination awakens as God reaches in with holy hands, stirring what has settled.
God invites us to experience fresh faith, right where the spiritual meets the practical in our lives.
Celebrate life with holy habits that make a difference for today and for eternity.
God invites us all to discover anew the joy of fresh waters. To even write these words requires faith, for the insecurities of my flesh whisper, what if you can’t deliver the content of this vision?
[tweetthis]When God births vision into our hearts, He asks us to step forward with fresh faith and trust him with the results.[/tweetthis]
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” -John 7:38 NASB
Simple ways to keep faith fresh:
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- Seek God first.
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- Invite the Holy Spirit into every day.
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- Believe that no matter what, God is good.
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- Choose holiness.
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- Experience Jesus in the midst of busy days.
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- Be nice to yourself. (really!)
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- Be kind to others.
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- Ask God show you how to find balance.
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- Receive and express love daily.
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- Practice putting others first in healthy ways.
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- Think about what you’re thinking about.
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- Reject lies and embrace the truth that sets you free.
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- Laugh every chance you get.
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- Let go of negative thinking that holds you back.
- Make the most of this day.
Discover fresh faith with 12 verses to energize faith today. Click on the image for a free printable list of verses. For more bonus resources, join my newsletter!
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Love the new blog Ginger!
Thanks, Barbie! So happy to see your sweet face pop up in my comment thread! You are always such an encouragement and God is using you in special ways.
Great tips on keeping our faith (and spiritual fruit) fresh!
Glad you like them–they have been energizing my spirit for a while so it’s fun to share with my friends. Thanks for commenting today, Cathy. God bless you and have a great week!
Ginger, I love your new look and can’t wait to explore some more. I usually love new beginnings but I have to admit that there’s a new transition that I’m facing that wasn’t what I hoped for. In fact, it is downright hard. But still I know that God is the god of fresh faith and if we see him in everything, He will remain our one constant. A true anchor for my soul.
Marva, I’ve been praying for you throughout the day. May God give you fresh strength, comfort, and faith to face the challenge. Blessings, Dear One.
I can relate to this on so many levels. We are military as well – my husband will retire from the Air Force after 20 years of service in May. The very thought of that strikes fear and uncertainty as we step out in faith with several things God is leading us into. Thank you for sharing your heart! Your neighbor at #RaRaLinkUp
Woohoo! It’s always fun to meet other military gals, and super fun when we’re hanging out in the same writing communities. Congratulations on 20 years of faithful service to you and your husband. I will pray for God’s wisdom and direction for your next steps. May he bring you excitement for new opportunities in your transition!
I love the term “fresh faith” Ginger. Whatever the circumstance, our faith is renewed in Christ as we seek Him. So many great tips you share here so I’m sharing this post on my inspiration board. Thank you for reminding us of whom the object of our faith should always be..our Savior. Have a wonderful week and blessings to you and yours.
I’m so glad you found some practical tips to share. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sharing this post with others. I want to check out your inspiration board–sounds like a good one! Thanks so much for joining the conversation today, Horace!
Your story resembles mine in some ways. As our houses become empty nests, there is a sense of what’s next, who are we now that our kids are gone, and what does it look like to let go. God is so faithful to teach us what the answers to those questions should be and could be. Your take on fresh faith is a beautiful way to recalibrate and keep Jesus first in the middle of change. Thank you for your words Ginger!
Hi Mary, so happy to hear from you. I appreciate that we have parallel journeys, yet God is doing good things in every step of the way. Thank you for joining me today!
This is awesome! I’m so inspired. My husband and I just bought a house, if you check out my blog you’ll know why it’s such a HUGE deal for me! What you said about transitions being new beginnings really struck a cord with me. This is a huge “new chapter” for us and I think I needed to read this today! And P.S. Don’t be too sad about the empty nest! My brother and I both left and RETURNED multiple times. There’s no guarantee they won’t come back JUST as you start to get used to the quiet LOL Coming to you from the RaRa Link Up :)!
I’ll look forward to checking out your blog and congrats on your new house! I love that there is a STORY with your new transition and I’m believing God has many wonderful moments for you in this new place. As a military family, we’ve been through many transitions and more “new houses” than I might have liked, but God’s been so faithful. So lovely to connect with you. Thanks for stopping by:)
This is the most useful list of tips for maintaining a healthy spirit that I have read in a long time! Thank you for sharing this flavor of God’s wisdom with us!
I appreciate your thoughtful comment. These are things God has been challenging me to incorporate more regularly in my life. They really do add joy and energy to faith, which overflows to every area of life. Thanks for joining us today!
Ginger, I love your list of ways to keep our faith fresh! I want to invite the Holy Spirit into my days too. Blessings on this new vision and fresh faith!
Thanks, Betsy! I’m grateful for God’s presence in the midst of our transitions as well as our “normal” days. I’m so glad to cross paths with you today.
Ginger,
I love how you are seeking God and walking in fresh faith in this time of transition. Beautiful 🙂 Yes, it is exciting and scary to step out (that is how I’ve felt with my book the whole time.
I’m working on my book this evening. I’m thankful for new opportunities and experiences. Thanks so much for visiting.
Oh the pangs of our children leaving, the empty house, watching them become young men and women in front of our eyes.. I love your list reminding me of ways to renew my faith and to love better..you’re a true light and inspiration!.
I noticed that the kids leaving hit you hard when I visited your page. I’m thinking we’ve got lots in common. Really enjoyed your post. Thanks for the encouraging word!