Carla's Book Crush

Reading my devotional really made me think — am I ignoring God’s will for me? The first devotional in Aarti Sequeira’s Unwind is titled “When You Need a Fresh Start,” and she says, “The longing for a fresh start is a signal that the way you’ve operated thus far is outdated. It’s not who you are anymore. It’s time to leave it in the past.”

I have many longings—to be more sociable, to spend more time with my grandkids, to cook more, to spend more time in God’s word. I’ve had these yearnings for years and have just pushed them aside to lie on the couch and do… well, nothing.

I tell myself that I’m not up to it, that it’s going to take too much time, that doing these things is exhausting. And it is. The doing part is draining, yet what if it fills me back up in a different way? Have I been ignoring the very thing that God wants for me?

For months, I have been using my recovery from surgery as an excuse not to have my grandkids over. I try to let them spend a night at my house for their birthday. We had two January birthdays; however, with the limited food I could eat and with the restrictions on what I could do, I have continually pushed that off. In my heart of hearts, I know the children don’t care. They just want to spend time with Mimi.

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). Good works are not our salvation; we do them because we are saved. It’s that desire to show Christ’s love. Doing is a way of demonstrating Christ’s love that can speak volumes.

I’m begging for renewal. A new heart. A new mind. One that does pleasing things for God’s glory. Not because I need His approval, but because I already have it. I want the words that Paul wrote to the Romans to be etched on my heart and acted out every day that I wake up. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2).

As I’m sitting here writing this, I’ve realized that things in my life need to change. Desires, not necessarily for a new me but a better me, can no longer be ignored. I need to find a way to incorporate these into my time without feeling overburdened or taxed, but in a way that brings about the peace, love, and closeness that I desire with those around me. Do you long for these things too? It does not matter if you’ve been a Christian for a day, months, or years. Sometimes we stumble or fall or just want to do better. Because He loves us, and we love Him. Just talk to Him. Spend time with Him. And transformations will begin to take shape. To shift your heart and your mind.

As I drafted this post, I decided to take one step. I had one of the granddaughters over. We had so much fun. She invited a sibling to tag along, and the three of us saw King of Kings. Something I could have done even with the restrictions I had earlier in the month. It’s not the time to dwell on what I could or should have done. It’s time to forgive myself, just like my Father has forgiven me. And take a new step each day.

FOR REFLECTION

1. What “fresh start” is God prompting in your life right now, and what fears or habits might be keeping you from stepping into it? Think about the areas where you feel a gentle nudge to begin again. Are you resisting change out of fear, routine, or past discouragement?
2. How have your longings—whether for deeper faith, connection with family, or living more purposefully—been speaking to your spirit? Consider whether these longings are God’s way of calling you back to joy, wholeness, and service, even in simple everyday moments.
3. What is one small step you can take this week toward living more fully into who God is calling you to be? It doesn’t have to be big—just something that brings light to your life and honors the transformation God is already working in you.

STORIES FOR THE SOUL

I chose the first two stories for different reasons. Millet’s book reminds me of what happens when you try to perfectly plan your life—the key being “you” instead of God. In Green Pastures, Tabitha Schrock found the life she wanted when she started listening to God’s plan for her. And, of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t include the link to the devotional that inspired this entire post.

• Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet
• Green Pastures by Patricia Johns
• Unwind: A Devotional Cookbook for the Harried & Hungry by Aarti Sequeira