The End Is Where We Start Again
—Grace & Truth Linkup
Start and Stop and Start and Stop
You move through your day doing this and doing that. And it all runs together.
But even within a day, even within an hour, there are multiple starts and stops, beginnings and endings.
Sometimes we’re aware of them. It’s obvious when we begin eating lunch and when we stop. We know when we begin our drive to work and when we’ve arrived.
Yet how often do we think of these as mini-beginnings and endings? Do we honor these multitudes of first times and last times?
About to Pass
I’ve noticed several of my online friends have a final child in high school this year. Or have one about to move away from home. These moms are keenly aware that an era is about to pass. They’re paying close attention to the little things. They long to make the best of these final opportunities with their kids before they leave home.
I remember those bittersweet seasons, too. While you want your baby birds to grow up and be independent, you mourn how quiet your nest will be when they’ve flown away. And yet you also look forward to your own freedom to fly in and out without child rearing responsibilities.
Life is a series of beginnings and endings. And beginnings again.
We may not always recognize them as such. But when we do, let’s celebrate and grieve and grow and cry and change and build and all the other things that come with living a life of purpose and meaning.
I believe God’s love rests underneath each life, holding us, motivating us to take in a fresh breath this moment, and let out an exhaling breath in the next.
Each ending is a new beginning.
As T.S. Eliot wrote,
“What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from.”
Do you feel you’re more in a beginning or an ending in this season? Share in the comments.
Grace & Truth Featured Post
Maryleigh heard this recently from her youngest:
“You only have two months to cook for me, Mom.”
Her son is about to move away for a year. It stirs up the emotions.
Read Maryleigh’s poignant reflections here at her blog, AND get the recipe for her “I love you” cake (also known as her “My Baby’s Grown Up” cake, “You Got a Job” cake, etc).
“Change Coming Means It’s Time to Bake”
Then link up your own blog posts below.
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Review the rules here about adding your most recent Christian Living posts and how to be the Featured Post. Visit all four hosts social media here or websites here: Maree Dee, Lisa notes, Lauren Sparks, Tammy Kennington.
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It’s so very important in this ending season of mine to savor what led to the ending, but it is also very important to prepare for the new season, to find God’s grace for the new – and be courageous about it, to have the energy and heart to flourish! Thanks so much, Lisa, for blessing me today! It is sweet encouragement and honor as one season ends and I walk into a new one!
Lisa, every ending holds the beginning of something new. And a new beginning means ending something that was. Life changes and we must learn to grow with it. so thankful our Lord holds our hands.
Endings really are new beginnings, aren’t they? It’s often a matter of how we choose to look at them.
I have recently retired from practicing medicine, which felt like an ending, and it is. But I am gradually seeing it as a beginning, with each day revealing what’s new and what may come. It is definitely a process, not always fun, sometimes sad, often exciting. But overall, it is bearable as I believe it is all in God’s hands and He can use it for His and my good.
I love the thought of the end of a season being a beginning, Lisa. Also our need to “celebrate and grieve and grow and cry and change and build and all the other things that come with living a life of purpose and meaning.” It’s so important, isn’t it? Thank you for these needed reflections. Love, hugs, and blessings to you!
Nice blog. I think I am at the beginning of a new season. Thank you so much for your thought.
To answer your question Lisa, I feel I’m in the middle neither beginning nor ending at the moment. ?
Blessings my friend, Jennifer
Lisa, I love this concept of mini-beginnings and endings. They are all around us, aren’t they. I want to be more mindful of how these impact the ones around me. Thank you for that nudge to do that.
Bless your weekend with hope, peace, and rest, friend. I think of you often …
Good question. I’m going to have to think about that. I’m not sure what season I’m in. This >”Life is a series of beginnings and endings. And beginnings again.” Thank you for promoting me to pause and reflect on this. It’s really profound.
visiting today from G&T
This is a season of new beginnings (2 weddings & 1 grandbaby), and of maintaining (with adult children still at home).