Grace to Start Fresh

Have you ever wanted to run away from your life?

Before completing the mentoring program at House of Hope depression overwhelmed me and made it nearly impossible to focus on anything other than myself. Shame told me that if anyone knew about my depression, I would be rejected and alone. The best way to prevent being rejected was to get out of town. I wanted to move in the worst way and told my husband so nearly every day. He’d ask me where I wanted to move and my answer was always the same, “Wyoming”. I didn’t know anyone there. It seemed like a safe state for us to move. Of course, the industry that he works in didn’t have any employment opportunities in Wyoming, but I didn’t care. I wanted to start over.

A few months later we bought a house a couple of blocks away from the apartment we had lived in for almost five years. So much for starting over.

The morning we went to pick up our U-Haul truck I noticed the state on the side of the rig my husband was walking toward. Wyoming. I couldn’t help but laugh and wipe away the tears. The Lord made it very clear that he had heard my request but instead of allowing me to run away, he was giving me the grace to start fresh right where I was.

God can do a new thing with the old you right where you are.

Keep your eyes open for God,

watch for his works;

be alert for signs of his presence. Psalm 105:4 The Message