Before You Move On to the Next Thing

I’m so quick to move on to the next thing. 

My mom often tells me I’ve always been this way. I hate change, but I’m constantly trying to get to the next destination, phase or step. She said it most clearly showed itself when we went to Disney World growing up (classic Florida kid family vacations). All morning I would badger my parents asking, “When are we going to the park?” Once we got to the park, I would almost immediately starting begging them to go back to the hotel pool. And later, when we were at the pool, I’d start once again asking when we were going back to the park for fireworks. You can see the cycle here…

As I’ve gotten older, I like to think I’ve gotten a little better at this. But it’s easy to let the months slip away without taking a moment to reflect on all that has happened. I worry I miss the best parts of life because I’m so busy moving on to the next one. 

For several years, I’ve made it a practice to reflect on the previous month before moving on to the next one. Surprisingly, it’s helped me not only see what I could have missed, but it’s made me want to pay more attention to days that can easily become so routine. To see what God is up to in the middle of the everyday things.

The Israelites did something similar. They would set up Ebenezer stones—physical rocks to mark a moment, to say they saw God. That’s also why they had so many festivals and celebrations. To remember God’s character and what He did for them. The Bible tells us to remember over 200 times, probably because we are so quick to forget. 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to forget. I want to remember who God is, and what that means for me, right now today. In an effort to remember, here are the moments of August I don’t want to let slip away (despite what Taylor Swift says).

What was good? 

August was full of celebrating in all the ways— bridal showers and baptisms, 30th birthdays and 1st birthdays, engagements and babies and even some bittersweet see-you-laters. 

I stayed home in Charlotte and didn’t travel. The slowness started out paralyzing but ended up being a good thing.

How did I show up? 

I showed up at work as the end of summer called me to play and my alarm felt like it came too early every day.

I tried to show up for my people when they needed it. 

I show to my quiet time even though it looks different. Instead of long, lingering moments, it was a quick devotional on my way out the door and maybe some worship music in the car.

I got a membership to a new gym, which is wildly out of my comfort zone because I don’t like doing things I’m not good at, especially in front of an audience. But one month in, it’s become my favorite part of the day.

I started running again, and am learning to be okay with being in process.

How did God move?

God moved in small, seemingly insignificant ways. I so wanted Him to move in big ways. To speak clearly, or to answer prayers. But instead, He just reminded me He’s always moving. I see it in the way the light shines on my desk at work. Or in a refreshing conversation with a friend. In the changes I didn’t ask for, nor did I really want. He moved, but He stayed the same, and that somehow is all I needed in August.

What are you hopeful for next month?

I have a hard time getting my hopes up. If you’ve been around here for a little while, you know “hope” is my word for the year, and it’s been hard fought for. While I’d love to be hopeful for really big things to happen next month, that isn’t where I’m at right now. But I’m hopeful still. I hopeful September will be full of the same, small, beautiful moments and that the Lord will draw my attention to them. 

So take a few minutes today. Grab a journal or open a note on your phone. Maybe get a little ~moody~ and turn on Taylor Swift’s folklore album. Pick up your favorite beverage. Mark the moments of August and how God was there. I’d love to hear your moments in the comments or on Instagram.