Don't Be Afraid to Start Over

I don't know about you but I hate making mistakes because, when you've fallen flat on your face for all to see, getting over the embarrassment and the pain to start again is tough. Should I even bother? English botanist and photographer Anna Atkins initially failed to gain recognition in scientific circles dominated by men. As a woman, her early attempts to publish botanical illustrations were overlooked. But rather than giving up, she quietly reinvented her approach. She learned the experimental cyanotype photographic process and began using it to document algae. In 1843, she self-published Photographs of British Algae, the very first book in history to be illustrated with photographic images. Her work is now hailed as groundbreaking in both science and art. Atkins' willingness to start over with a new medium turned a quiet failure into an enduring legacy. Peter denied Jesus three times in His darkest hour, leaving Him alone to be crucified. Can there be any greater failure than that? Yet, after the resurrection: John 21:17  A third time Jesus said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep. Jesus meets Peter, forgives him, and recommissions him. So Peter started over, stronger and more humble than before. God never shames us for starting over—in fact, He delights in bringing newness out of brokenness. Most often, a restart is in fact His redemption in action. So don't be afraid to start over, because God's grace is more than enough. That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.