Episode 158 - Childlike vs. Childish Part 4: Fresh Starts & Grace
Rediscover the beautiful gift of beginning again through childlike wonder and divine grace in your middle years.
As we navigate the complexities of midlife, two profound childlike qualities stand out as potential game changers: the ability to embrace fresh starts and extend grace. These aren't immature tendencies—they're sophisticated spiritual and emotional skills that can transform how we experience each day and every relationship.
The Gift of Starting Fresh Every Day
Learning from Children's Natural Ability
One of the most remarkable things about children is how they approach each day with a clean slate. Yesterday's tears don't overshadow this morning's joy. Last night's argument doesn't carry over into today's play. Children possess an innate ability to let go and begin again—a quality many adults have forgotten.
This natural tendency mirrors something profound about our relationship with God. As Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us:
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness."
Breaking Free from Yesterday's Burdens
Yet many of us live as though we don't truly believe in this divine promise of fresh starts. We carry yesterday's failures, disappointments, and hurts into each new day, allowing them to color everything we experience.
Common patterns that hold us back:
Waking up already feeling the weight of past mistakes
Mentally replaying decisions we regret
Clinging to wounds as part of our identity
Allowing past hurts to define our present relationships
The Power of Intentional Release
Breaking free from these patterns requires what I call intentional release—choosing each day, sometimes each hour, to let go of defining stories from the past and embrace the new story God is writing in our lives.
This isn't a one-time decision but a daily choice to live into today's mercies rather than yesterday's pain. It's the beautiful maturity of emotional adulthood: acknowledging our wounds, doing the healing work, then choosing not to be defined by what happened to us.
Extending Grace: The Art of Fresh Starts for Others
The Playground Wisdom
Watch any playground and you'll witness something beautiful: children arguing one minute and playing together happily the next. No lengthy reconciliation process, no scorekeeping—just simple movement forward in the joy of the present moment.
Grace vs. Childish Patterns
Mature grace looks different from childish patterns. Instead of:
Holding grudges for years
Bringing up past offenses in current arguments
Expecting perfection while making excuses for ourselves
Keeping mental records of disappointments
Grace means:
Creating space for growth and change
Refusing to define people by their worst moments
Maintaining healthy boundaries while extending forgiveness
Living in the reality of how much we've been forgiven
A Personal Story of Grace in Action
I remember a painful conversation with one of my adult children where they said things completely out of character. After the initial hurt, I shifted focus from my pain to their pain—asking myself, "What does love look like right now?"
The answer involved embracing them in their struggle, reinforcing my love, and honestly sharing how their words affected me. It was painful but beautiful—a moment I'm deeply grateful for.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Fresh Starts and Grace
1. Create Daily Bookends
Morning Practice: Place your hand on your heart and whisper, "Thank you for this new day, Lord. Help me receive it as a gift."
Evening Practice:
Name three things you're grateful for
Acknowledge mistakes and ask for forgiveness
Release hurts into God's hands
Set intentions for tomorrow
2. Practice Grace Pauses
When feeling activated by someone:
Take a breath and think, "They are more than this moment"
Redirect from rehearsing old hurts to present awareness
Ask yourself, "Will this heal or harm?" before bringing up past offenses
3. Use Physical Reminders
Keep fresh flowers where you see them first thing
Place a "mercy stone" by your bed as a reminder of new beginnings
Let running water (shower, dishes) remind you of God's cleansing grace
4. Develop Fresh Start Language
"Let's begin again" when conversations derail
"Today's a new day" after difficult periods
"I'm still learning" instead of self-criticism
5. Create Grace Rituals in Relationships
Establish reconciliation practices: "I'm sorry, will you forgive me?"
Celebrate growth and change rather than focusing on past patterns
Share stories of times you've received grace to keep your heart soft
The Beautiful Integration of Midlife
Perhaps the most beautiful journey of midlife is finding our way back to childlike faith while growing into emotional maturity. When we take responsibility for our emotional well-being, we're free to experience joy and wonder with the wisdom that comes from years of walking with the Savior.
A Four-Week Journey Recap
Over this series, we've explored:
Imagination vs. Fantasy - Maintaining wonder while staying grounded in responsibility
Purposeful Play and Adaptability - Bringing joy and flexibility to increase resilience
Honest Communication and Presence - Sharing perspective with love and being fully present
Fresh Starts and Grace - Embracing new beginnings and extending forgiveness
Your Next Step Forward
What aspect of childlike faith is calling to you right now? Perhaps it's:
Rediscovering wonder and imagination
Bringing purposeful play into daily routines
Practicing honest communication
Embracing fresh starts and extending grace
Whatever it is, take one small step toward it this week. Remember: God's mercies are new every morning, and His grace is sufficient for today and every day.
The Gift of Beginning Again
In these middle years, we have the extraordinary opportunity to integrate all parts of ourselves—honoring the child we once were, embracing gained wisdom, and moving forward with both innocence and insight.
It's never too late to rediscover the beautiful childlike qualities that make life rich, relationships deep, and faith bright. The gift of beginning again is always available, wrapped in grace and offered with divine love.
Join My Conversation Project
I'm currently seeking midlife women of faith for meaningful one-on-one conversations about your unique experiences during this important life season. These 30-minute private Zoom calls provide a safe space for you to share your authentic journey—both struggles and strengths—with deep listening and no judgment.
To participate, email me at jill@seasons-coaching.com with the subject line "Conversation Project."
Learn more about it HERE.
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Click HERE to learn about all the ways you can work together!
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About the Author: Jill Pack is a certified faith-based life + relationship coach and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She helps women of faith navigate their seasons of life with greater purpose and joy. For more resources or to work with Jill, visit www.seasons-coaching.com.
