Many of you know this has been a hard year for our family with the death of my precious sister, Paula, to pancreatic cancer, followed two months later by my mother-in-law’s homegoing. My niece’s husband, Jared, father of four school-age sons, is still fighting stage 4 colon cancer and will soon begin a vigorous treatment program. After a season like that, you may feel in need of a fresh start, much like I do.
There’s something about the first week of September that still feels like the beginning of a new year to me. Perhaps it’s decades of watching school buses roll down the street, or maybe it’s just how my mind is wired. When the calendar turns to fall, I feel a holy nudge. It’s time for a new beginning.
If you’ve spent the summer resting, recalibrating, or simply surviving, you may feel like I do. The pause was good, and it’s over now. God has an assignment for us in this season.
Our Challenges and Choices
I think of Nehemiah, standing before a pile of rubble that used to be Jerusalem’s wall. He didn’t have a strategic plan—just a broken heart, a burden from God, and one clear decision: “Let us start rebuilding” (Nehemiah 2:18). No guarantee of success. Just obedience to the next right step.
Your “wall” doesn’t look like anyone else’s. Maybe it’s a habit of encouragement you’ve felt nudged to start with a neighbor, the time and attention your family has been quietly asking for, or a volunteer role at church you’ve kept putting off. Maybe it’s a gift for hospitality, organizing, or listening you’ve never thought of as “ministry,” but that God has placed in your hands for such a time as this. Maybe you know you need to write that book or prepare a new message. Whatever it is, friend, the rubble isn’t the end of the story. It’s the starting point.
The Enemy’s Tactics
After over three decades of watching God work in ordinary, willing people, here’s what I know. The enemy loves a good delay. He doesn’t need to convince you your gifts aren’t real; he just needs to convince you that now isn’t the time. Not until life feels less busy, or you feel more qualified, or the timing is perfect. Fall has a sneaky way of becoming the season we plan to rebuild, right up until the holidays arrive and we haven’t laid a single brick. Let’s not do that this fall.
A Plan of Action
Pick one thing today. Not ten things. One. Call someone who’s struggling. Say yes to the thing you’ve been asked to help with. Give God the first ten minutes of your morning instead of your phone. Use the hour you’d normally scroll to invest in someone who needs you.
Nehemiah’s workers built with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other (Nehemiah 4:17). That’s the Christian life, building something good while fighting fear, comparison, and doubt at the same time. Let’s not wait until the battle is over to start building. Let’s start now.
I’ve watched God take broken, ordinary obedience, like a kind word, a faithful hour, a small yes, and He turns it into something that changed a family or planted a seed that outlived every doubt the giver had about whether it mattered. Your time is not too small an offering, and your gifts are not too ordinary for His purposes.
You are not behind. You are not too late. You are exactly where God intended you to be at the start of this new season, with an assignment in front of you and grace enough to begin.
Pick up your trowel. Let’s start rebuilding.
“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in… Come, let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work.” Nehemiah 2:17-18
Question: What is one thing God is nudging you to do this fall, and what’s a first step you could take this week? I will pray for you as I read through the comments.
Love this Carol!
The women of Grand Strand LIFE Myrtle Beach are so excited to welcome you again for our 6th anniversary celebration event!
Love you,
Kimberly Hand
Thanks, Kim! I’m greatly looking forward to returning to Myrtle Beach to speak at the Grand Strand LIFE Luncheon. Congratulations on your 6th Anniversary!
What a quote–“That’s the Christian life, building something good while fighting fear, comparison and doubt at the same time.”
TRUE!! Thank you!!
Your comment blessed me, Clarice.
After too bad accidents in less than a year, I’m now recovered enough to go forward again. It seems hard. The next step God is asking me to take is to get back to writing. The next book is called, “The Cost of the Purpose.” It is a powerful book with God leading me all the way.
The other thing he’s asking me is to do besides write is to get out and get speaking about my life’s journey which has always been very hard with many losses and many rejections. But I have always followed God. My journey started out with being dedicated to Satan, which I have now totally rejected.
This week I have already put comments out. I’m starting to let people know I’m available to speak about overcoming and never giving up.
And always following God always learning to trust Him more. And always learning to love more. If I can help you, let me know. I am praying for you.
Wow, Donna, God has certainly changed your life around for the better. I’m praying for your book project and for your ministry.
I ask myself that question as a 64 year old widow: what am I being asked by God to do?
I always feel confused but keep going.
I’m praying God will remove the confusion and that He will reveal your next steps.
I feel God calling me to be present in the moment and season I’m in. I live in WA but am in Dallas helping with my first grandchild. I will be here for quite some time. I’m am missing home, my friends, my routine etc. Yet I feel God telling me to embrace this season and that my time here is important. I’m so used to “doing” that maybe this season is one of slowing down. Not sure what is to unfold but praying for Gods direction.
Heidi, I love this statement: I feel God calling me to be present in the moment and season I’m in. When we embrace the season we’re in, we often experience fulfillment and joy. Thanks so much for your comment.
Speaking right to me, Carol, even as you navigate multiple losses. I’m so sorry. Thank you for the wisdom and the reminder of 1 brick at a time… not the entire wall. Pick 1 thing: I registered for a Mastermind Growth Group. The enemy is furiously using fear as his tactic. I’m battling back, full armor of God style, refusing to let him win.
Mary, we look forward to having you in one of the Speak Up Mastermind Growth Groups. Don’t let fear defeat you. Keep putting on the full armor of God. Thanks for your comment..
This fall I’m investing in attending two different out-of-state gatherings of writers to serve in small ways. It’s hard to justify spending the funds for registration and travel, yet for both I feel I need to be there for the sake of others, not so much myself. On another note, I was and am praying earnestly for Jared,and my prayers continue always for JP.
Maggie, your prayers mean a lot to me! Thank you for keeping J.P. and Jared in your prayers. I’m praying for you as you attend two out-of-state gathers for writers this fall. You are an incredible mentor and encourager to Christian writers and speakers. Sending a big hug your way today, my friend!
The blog speaks straight to my heart. The verse I’m claiming as my Fall theme: “Come, let us start rebuilding.” Gitche’s Ladies Retreat is next weekend, I will be the emcee and ice-break storyteller once again before our guest speaker. But after attending your Speak-Up conference in July I know God is using this Fall Retreat opportunity to launch a new journey “ministry” for me. Thank you, for your encouragement to “Speak-Up” when God gives the nudge. Oh may the days ahead bring even more glory to God than the past few years. Pressing onward!
Rinda, this note means a lot to me! I’m so glad you were able to attend the Speak Up Conference in July! Please give my fondest greetings to the incredible staff at Gitche Gumee! I’m praying for you and for the retreat next weekend. What an incredible place and what an outstanding retreat! I appreciate you so much!
Carol, today’s blog is powerful. It speaks directly to what God is saying to me and the new areas He is leading me to pursue this fall. Thank you! You are a blessing.
It was a joy to see you in person at Brown City Camp. Thank you for your faithfulness to God and to all of us who love you and appreciate your ministry.
Debi, I’m so encouraged to know today’s blog was helpful to you. It was a joy to speak at the Women’s Day at Brown City Camp. What an incredible group of godly women! Thanks so much for being there!
I’m going to start helping at an after school outreach at church on the 16th. This is something a couple gals in our church started last fall. It happens on early release days, 1-2 times a month. I have a heart for kids❣️ I’ve been retired as a 23 yr paraeducator for 7 years now. I appreciate YOU & your prayers. God bless you!
Darrylin, this after school outreach sounds like an outstanding ministry, and with your background in education, it will be an incredible blessing that you can participate. I’m praying it will be a blessing to you as well as to the children who will attend.
God is asking me to focus in this season of “yes.” I have my first invitation to speak at a breakout at a Fall women’s retreat and I am taking classes to be a certified Christian Life Coach. There are several logistics that are involved in this building project such as email lists and websites that are a bit overwhelming. I am very grateful for the tools and companions that He has given me.
Wow, Mychelle, I LOVE this–that you’re focusing on a season of “Yes.” I’m praying for you as you prepare to speak at the breakout session at the fall women’s retreat and as you get training to be a Christian Life Coach. Thank you for living for things that will outlast your life.
Thank you for your thoughtful words of encouragement. I am trying to leave a job where I assisted in building a business where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live and thrive. It is now time to go. I am starting my own transportation business serving the same population of people. I am feeling both led by the Lord and pushed out and mistreated at the business I helped to build by a new CEO. Seasons always seem to end with bittersweet for me. I’ve learned and grown and I’m ready to launch my own business, that’s exciting. I am grieved by poor treatment from my new boss. My integrity is at the top of my list of things to guard. I am leaving this job much better than it was even earlier this year. I am leaving a roadmap of information so the next person moving up can easily follow. Please pray that I am able to embrace the feeling of being “pushed out” with as much acceptance as I have in God’s leading me out. I know it’s time to go, I am asking the Lord to move me out in a miraculous speedy way. It is hard to be there and be mistreated. It is not a pride thing, it’s grievous because this new treatment is not what we built this ministry on. I grieve the embracing of negativity that my new CEO seems to have a heart for. I know the Lord disciplines those whom He loves and sometimes people around us have things to learn that have nothing to do with us. I pray the people I love, and support will not suffer for his choices. I am looking forward to walking away with a clear conscious and fond memories of the amazing people I serve, the relationships I built and so many other countless blessings.
Veronica, I’m praying you have wisdom and discernment for every step of this hard journey.
We’re dealing with a lot of difficulties right now, and it all feels a bit overwhelming. Some days, it seems I just can’t catch up—or catch my breath. But I’m committed to setting aside 90 minutes, three times a week, to sit down and WRITE that first book!
Week one: so far, so good!
I’m a little nervous about the storytelling course coming up, too. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?
Lord, help me spend my time wisely, persevere, and accomplish what You desire for me. Amen.
Pam, what a sweet blessing it has been to get to know you over the past year! Thank you for this note. I’m praying for you as you are intentional about setting aside 90 minutes, three times a week to work on your first book. I’m also looking forward to seeing you regularly in the Speak Up Storytelling MasterClass this fall. And thank you for the delicious gourmet treats of Idaho potato chips and chocolates, too. What a lovely surprise!
I’m in the process of writing my first book and have had one battle after another to delay the process. I am pushing forward but it is not easy.
I am taking your encouragement to heart. One brick at a time, I will be faithful with what he has given me and leave the results to him.
Thank you for your faithfulness through this incredibly challenging season!
Blessings,
Wanda
Wanda, I’m praying for you right now as you work on writing the manuscript for your first book. Your note encouraged me today.
Oh, Carol, blog resounded with me in so many ways! Thank you for sharing Nehemiah’s “overwhelm-mess” of an entire broken-down city wall.
This week, as I grand-sit this busy household of nine—schoolwork, bedroom floors, dirty clothes, organizing drawers, clearing out the fridge, wiping yet another counter (really, do they need to eat so often?), and changing another diaper—I’ve considered how overwhelmed Nehemiah must have felt, and me too!
Ahhh, so true, what you said, I can plan to rebuild, but then the holidays come around, and I haven’t laid a single brick!
Yet God gave Nehemiah a plan, and today, through your words, you are offering me one. I’m taking you up on it—even as I sneak away to write this email!
Once again, it’s time for me to join my Speak Up Sisters and intentionally focus on marketing my one-year-old book, “Richer by the Dozen.” The wall won’t rebuild itself, and the book won’t reach the women who need it if I don’t get to work.
So today, I’m picking up the first brick and registering with my SpeakUp buds!
September marks the beginning of a new ministry for me. I’ve been involved in Women’s Ministry since way back in the early 2000s when I met you when you & Gene taught a class at Womens Ministry Institute at Southern Seminary. After becoming widowed I was part of a statewide ministry for widows for several years. Now is the time to kick off this ministry that I’ve been preparing through God’s leadership – the timing is right & it’s all coming together and God is blessing me with so many opportunities! It’s amazing & overwhelming at the same time! Thank you for these words of encouragement!
A thing God has been nudging me to do is to contact you to arrange to take you and your husband out to dinner to share our journeys as parents of an incarcerated son. But I tell myself you’ll probably be too busy.