New Beginnings

Transform v. change or alter completely in nature, form or function (Webster's Dictionary)
Begin v. to start (Webster's Dictionary)
Transform v. convert, metamorphose, reconstruct (Webster's Thesaurus)
Begin v. to initiate, start, set in motion, give birth to (Webster's Thesaurus)
Transformed (Gk. metamorphoo) used of the change of the moral character for the better ( Unger's Bible Dictionary)
Beginning (Heb. re'shit, "first")  commencement of time (Unger's Bible Dictionary)
Transformation: tear down the old, build new (Judges 6:25-26) be transformed, renew your mind (Romans 12:2) new attitude of your mind (Ephesians 4:23)

I have been surrounded by butterflies lately, A LOT! We have some really tall wild flowers planted by our walk way that continue to bloom and for about 2 weeks now I have been watching butterflies fluttering from one flower to another.  We even watched a large beautiful Monarch the other day for awhile and snapped some really pretty pictures of it.  This has had me thinking about how a butterfly or moth comes to be what it is, through a complete transformation or metamorphosis. They completely change from their original form through and through into a different form, through and through.

Of course, this brought me to another train of thought.  They get a new beginning. A brand new start. A new life.  How many times daily, weekly, monthly, yearly do we wish we could start over? I know personally, I wish that alot.  Starting over from mistakes made.  Starting over from things said.  Beginning from a different point or lesson learned.  Then I think about some of the times in my life that I have been able to start over.  Moving to a new town. Going back to school.  A new job.  A new marriage. Teaching Sunday School.  Giving up teaching. What does it really mean to be truly transformed 'through and through'?

I think I know after watching these butterflies and thinking about it so much, but I had to pray. And then, I was given the answer. My anxiety has to be set aside. My fears, need a new placement in my life. My depression, need to let it go. My negative, pessimistic attitude has to be erased. All of these things and more must be eradicated from my life in order to make room for...God. The creator of new life. The giver of second chances. The provider of rainbows. We cannot be truly transformed if we hold on to old things. We must set these things at His feet and look up into His face.  Only by His grace and presence in our lives can we truly start over. 

I am a new person.  I have been transformed.  I will begin again. I will allow His grace to rain down on my face!  Much Love, Me.