Starting Over Without Starting From Scratch
I cannot believe we are already just over a quarter of the way through 2025. Everything is waking up from its winter sleep, and the spring rain is making everything bloom again while the sun shines bright. One of my favorite times of the year, before the Texas summer tries to melt us off the map. It’s all going by so fast, while still so much time left in the year to see things get done. As a Type A personality—yes, I keep a list.
I remember at the very end of 2024, I felt like I hadn’t achieved anything (which was so far from the truth, believe me), but as I was praying for my word for 2025, I heard the Lord say “Do Over.” I remember pausing at that, unsure if I heard Him correctly. I heard the Lord tell me, “Nothing is wasted. So what if you didn’t cross all that off your list? I had bigger things for you. But now? Who says you still can’t achieve those tasks? Just do it again.”
In 2023, my word was “Be Still” and oh boy, did that year end up living up to that. I only had 3 items on my goal list for the year, and though it was a year of transition, growth, and seclusion, I got to see two of those goals come true—down to the literal December wire. I wanted to run away from it all (SEVERAL times), but I stuck to it with the Lord by my side and came out the other side.
In 2024, I heard Him say “Embrace” was going to be my word. I took that as a challenge to embrace it all. My goal list was a little longer this go-around, including the one goal I didn’t accomplish from 2023. I am an overachiever—what can I say? I made a huge and exciting move to Dallas, I started a new job, and was ready to embrace anything coming my way. I see now why He prepared me with that word, because 2024 was like an extreme rollercoaster ride.
I was ending 2024 with several things uncompleted and felt disappointed in myself. Yes, I had achieved some things, and the Lord gave me several unexpected surprises that were more than I deserved, but I barely did 25% of my list that year. Some of them were things I never even tried to do, and others were probably slightly unrealistic. So then I was left to face forward into the new year.
This is where the “Do Over” comes into play. It excited me because some of the things on that list were things I truly desired, and it gave me a sense of excitement to continue to chase after them and not be stuck on how I didn’t achieve them. It wasn’t a rewind or start over—just a simple try again. Having the whole year ahead of me took the pressure off—no ticking clock. I felt more purposeful with my choices. So I sat down and remade my list for 2025 and simplified it. I brought over the important goals (including the still uncompleted one from 2023) and even purposefully left space for the Lord to do the unexpected.
We are now in May, and I have already seen progress!
I published Be Still & Get Creative
I found a church home → still working on the community part!
I have a small bucket list trip planned in July!
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning…” – Lamentations 3:22–23
I have decided that if that’s all I accomplish this year, that’s enough. I don’t need to prove anything to myself or anyone else. I have surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, and I pursue Him and His will in all things. So maybe you have a year—or several—where nothing went the way you had hoped or planned. You may feel behind the curve or like you missed the chance, but trust me when I say this isn’t true! We are on God’s clock, and His timing never expires and is never late. Doing it over isn’t a waste of time but a step in faith. It’s about slowing down, being present, and letting God finish what He started… even if it looks different this time.
Do It Over
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Do It Over 〰️
The Do Over Card
What needs a redo in your life - not because you failed, but because God is giving you another chance?
Get a blank index card, sticky note, or piece of paper, a pen and few quiet minutes
On one side of the card, write:
“This didn’t go how I planned, but God’s not done with it yet.”
On the other side, write one thing you want to revisit in this “do over” year.
It could be something from last year’s list, a forgotten hope, or a goal you never gave yourself permission to try again.
Then, keep the card somewhere visible like in your Bible, or on a mirror or desk. Each time you see it, pray:
“Lord, I trust You with this. Help me walk forward in faith, not pressure.”
Let this card serve as a reminder that a do over isn’t failure - it’s faith in motion. God doesn’t throw away unfinished stories - He rewrites them with grace.
