Leave Memory Lane - He is Doing a New Thing.

A few nights ago, I saw a picture on Facebook of two people that I loved dearly.
If I am honest with you, I still do love them, but I had to allow God to heal my heart. It took myself all of a second to take a stroll down memory lane, and "remember when."  My heart hurt because of what has been lost, but it was also thankful because even though we fail, His love and His plans never do. As chance would have it, that same picture popped up in my newsfeed tonight. My heart, yet again, began to feel overwhelmed. In that exact moment, the Holy Spirit gently whispered to my soul - "I am doing a new thing."
I hate change. Seriously. I never, ever want to upgrade my Microsoft software (just ask my Dad) because I like being comfortable. What the Lord is teaching me though is that sometimes in order for Him to move I have to be uncomfortable. I have to be moved from the place of comfort to a place of trust. From a place of knowing (read: creating) the plan to a place of trusting solely in His plan.
Isaiah 43:18 came to my heart tonight. "But forget all of that - it is nothing compared to what I'm going to do. For I am about to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!"
Some days I feel like I am in a dry place. No matter how much I pray, read or listen to worship music - my soul feels dry. I have been crying out to God to refresh me. To submerge me in His river of new life. I now know that the secret of being refreshed is letting go of the old, and CELEBRATING in the new that is coming.
As a new school year begins in many districts tomorrow, I encourage you to celebrate this new year. Our school district's  theme for this year is new beginnings, and I don't think that it is coincidence that the Lord laid the scripture on my heart tonight. Wake up tomorrow excited about the new things that He is doing. I know I am!

Blessings,
Hannah