Dead End or New Beginning?

Endings or beginnings? For years, I saw endings as dead ends rather than opportunities for new beginnings. It wasn’t a surprise, then, I wanted to end it all. My life, that is. I could never seem to see – and feel – past the trauma, tragedy, and pain of endings to see the potential and possibility of what lay ahead. I had no hope.

photo courtesy of photographer via morguefile.com

Whether it was the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, an unwanted divorce, rejection from family, the end of college, leaving a city behind, losing one of my beloved dogs, whatever the end, whatever or whomever I lost, I spiraled downward until I simply could not find my way out, and up, and into the light of hope and a future.

For a woman who spent so many years wanting to end it all, it is nothing short of a miracle that I have come to see how on the other side of hard endings can be brilliant new beginnings. But how? Simple. God. I no longer allow myself to get swallowed up in the pain of loss. I do my best to keep my eyes on the Lord, His Word, and what He has in store for me. And, instead of the pity parties I used to throw, I remind myself I am not on this earth for me. I am here for Him. So rather than become consumed with what, or whom, I have lost, I try to set my heart upon what I can do for the Lord – and for this world in need.

I have found my hope. The Lord.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV).”