Just Start (12/16/2024)

So many times in my life, another has asked for my help in tackling projects ranging from cleaning to writing to praying. And I share with them one of the best pieces of advice I ever got for life – “Just start.” Our desire for perfection can rob us of our ability for good.

I remember when my children were younger and still at home. When I told them to clean their room, they each had a different path and procedure, but each of them got it done, their way. And I remember when I was beginning to write this blog, my desire to make it perfect froze every bit of creativity I had as well as blocking my receptivity to inspiration. I have learned to just start. True, sometimes I get so far and erase the beginning and use the middle as my opener, but I would have never gotten there if I hadn’t just started. And when my heart is so full I can’t go another step, I have learned to just start my prayer. The LORD is good at sorting it out, I have found.

So many people, me included, have things we want to tackle, project in a closet or dreams in our hearts, and we rationalize them being there rather than out in the world by telling ourselves we aren’t ready. But isn’t our real reason for not starting our fear of failure? What if we start and we can’t finish? What if we start and make a mess of it? What if?

There is a song sung by Amy Grant that I have listened to for years. It has helped me get through these immobilizing moments. In the middle of it, she sings, “And the more I try to be the best, the more I get the worst.” Oh, how I know that feeling. The song is titled “All I Ever Have to Be” and I would encourage you to listen to it and take it to heart.

During this third week of preparation for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for Christ’s coming again, let us use this time to “just start.” Let us just start telling the LORD what is in our heart and on our mind. Let us just start doing that good thing we’ve promised we would do when we have time. Let us just start being the ones we know the LORD has created us to be – loving daughters and sons of the Almighty Father and sisters and brothers and disciples of Christ.

But what if we don’t get it right right away? I think of my coach from years ago who taught us to put on the uniform and go out there from day one as a team. She told us it would take time for us to truly become “a team,” but she assured us we’d never become “a team” unless we just started where we were. And in time, we did become that team. Thank you, Miss Foy.

Today, as we continue our preparations, let us consider just starting.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.