I never imagined that the later years of my life would be filled with so much starting over.
As a young person I always looked for the next thing… I was always in a hurry to start something new - But as I grew older I became comfortable with being content in the seasons of life as God would bring them. I found peace in finishing things and treasured growth. Starting over again began to feel like failure.
At some point, you think there should be a finish line.
A season where everything finally settles.
A season where you can exhale and say, “Okay, I made it.”
But life doesn’t always unfold that way. In fact - It rarely happens the way we think it should.
I’ve had to start over after divorce.
Start over emotionally.
Start over financially.
Start over buying a new house.
Start over in ministry.
And now, I’m starting over again with this new “Living Well with Amy” page — rebuilding, reintroducing myself, rediscovering purpose.
At the same time, my youngest child, my precious daughter, is preparing to graduate high school while my husband’s children are still young and very much in the middle of their growing years. It’s a strange and beautiful blend of endings and beginnings happening all at once.
But if I’m completely honest, sometimes I catch myself thinking:
Shouldn’t I be past this part by now?
Shouldn’t life feel more finished?
But maybe life with God was never meant to be “finished.”
Maybe it was always meant to be transformed.
The Bible says:
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19
The older I get, the more I realize God is not intimidated by new beginnings. We are.
We often associate starting over with failure.
God often associates it with growth.
Sometimes starting over is not punishment.
Sometimes it is protection.
Sometimes it is preparation.
Sometimes it is proof that God refuses to let your story end in a broken place.
And if I’m honest, every season where I had to begin again became a season where I discovered strength I didn’t know I had. And that feels great!
I learned how to care for myself after heartbreak.
I learned how to rebuild peace inside my home.
I learned how to heal instead of just survive.
I learned how to let God love the exhausted parts of me and to love myself.
Self-care looks different in seasons like this.
It’s not always bubble baths and skincare routines. (But I squeeze them in as much as I can.)
Sometimes self-care is allowing yourself to grieve the life you thought you would have by now.
Sometimes self-care is resting without guilt.
Sometimes it’s going to therapy.
Sometimes it’s protecting your peace.
Sometimes it’s saying yes to joy again after years of survival mode.
And sometimes self-care is trusting God enough to believe that another beginning can still become something beautiful.
I think many people quietly carry shame about starting over.
Especially in midlife.
Especially after divorce.
Especially after disappointment.
Especially when everyone else appears settled.
But I want to say this clearly:
There is no expiration date on healing.
There is no age limit on purpose.
There is no timeline that disqualifies you from beginning again.
God still plants gardens in broken ground.
Maybe that’s why I relate so much to seasons.
Nothing in nature blooms all year long.
Some seasons look like loss.
Some look like pruning.
Some look quiet and barren before growth finally appears.
But growth is still happening underground.
And maybe that’s where you are right now.
Maybe you’re rebuilding after heartbreak.
Maybe you’re reinventing yourself after years of pouring into everyone else.
Maybe your children are growing up and you’re wondering who you are now.
Maybe God is asking you to trust Him in unfamiliar territory again.
Friend, starting over does not mean your life fell apart.
Sometimes it means God isn’t finished.
Jeremiah 29:11 says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Not just a past.
A future.
So here I am.
Beginning again.
Healing again.
Growing again.
Trusting again.
And maybe that’s not weakness.
Maybe that’s faith.
“Starting over isn’t proof that you failed. Sometimes it’s proof that God is still writing your story.”
Stay blessed my dear readers. I’m praying for you.
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