Tonight, I tried something new. Obedience. Yeah, it might seem like a no-brainer for a Christian author to tell you that she’s been obedient. But that would not be entirely true. And today, I decided to live out my faith, for ten full minutes, exactly as I felt called by God to do it.

It had been a while since I’d put absolute obedience first. I hate to say that. Because I love to look like I’ve got a solid foundation in all things godly. And honestly, in general, I’d say that I do. But for a little while, I’ve been living a gospel of exclusion rather than a gospel of action.

It’s been a while since I cussed, decades since I touched a cigarette, and I am faithful to my hubby. I work hard to avoid being unkind to anyone. I say, “God bless you,” when I walk away from a cashier. And I try not to do anything that would make my testimony look fake. But sometimes, that’s just not enough. And I had somehow decided not to think about that last detail. I knew what God probably didn’t want me to do. But it had been a while since I asked — and really took action about — what God wants me to do.

Action, not emotion (for a change)

Not in a big, dramatic way, but I feel like crying. My eyes are moist. My shoulders are drooping. I’m tired and feeling a bit defeated. I’m “low-key” sad about this. Not in the way kids these days mean it. But in its original sense — I’m shameless enough to feel it only slightly. Low-key.

But instead of working myself up emotionally about it, repenting with a big flow of tears and snot, and then going back to the usual, I chose to do something different. Tonight, I got up, and I anointed my house and prayed. Simple, basic, and exactly like I had been feeling as if God wanted me to do it.

Now, I feel led to write. So I’m writing. I didn’t look up an old manuscript and try to rework it, but never let it see the light of day in the end. No, I just started fresh with one thing. And here it is.

Fresh starts are available, anytime we need them

Today, I am starting new. I may not carry this motivation into tomorrow. A bad experience might knock me off track. Depression might hit. So much might happen. But right now, I’m doing what I know to do. It’s a start.

Join me in starting over, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. God has got this. We’ll make it. We just can’t ever give up.