God of New Beginnings

One advantage of military life is that when you PCS you can create a whole new life—new friends, new habits, new image, and new schedules. It’s exciting!

One of the hard parts of military life is that after a PCS, you have to start all over again—new friends, new habits, new image, and new schedules. It’s exhausting!

Moving is commonly considered one of the top stressors in America, right up there with the death of a loved one, divorce, illness, and job loss. And children feel this intensely. Since kids thrive on routine, a PCS completely rocks their world.

But the Lord specializes in doing new things. When we give our lives to Jesus, he makes us new creatures—like someone just born—with a fresh start. And when his people mess up, or life knocks them down, over and over he offers a new beginning. He makes a way forward. He even promises to one day make a new heaven and earth.

Forget what happened long ago!
Don’t think about the past.
I am creating something new.
There it is! Do you see it?
I have put roads in deserts,
streams in thirsty lands.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (CEV)

In this passage, God assures the Israelites that just as he had made a way for them to escape bondage by safely bringing them through the sea, he would also guide them safely through the wilderness and they would have to trust him to preserve them on their journey. The wilderness is a place of many unknowns and can be scary. PCSing can feel like a wilderness, but as God was with the Israelites, so he will be with you. He will make ways as you face each new beginning.

Newness may terrify our children, but we can help them see that the Lord is already there ahead of us. The bonus is that as your children strengthen this trust muscle, they will more readily embrace new things and new paths. Transition to college or a new job will be so much easier for them than for those who rarely encounter routine changes. They will learn how to trust the Lord of new things.

PRAY

Lord, you make all things new! May I trust in your promise as I face each new obstacle. Help me model strong faith to my children as we face each new day as a family. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question: What are you most worried about with this move (or new school or new teacher)?

Apply: Help your child to imagine Jesus going in the door with him/her. Does he laugh at the book the teacher reads? Does he like to make cool things with the play dough? Does he hold you tight when you are missing home?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day.

II Corinthians 5:17

Revelation 21:5