The beginning of September feels like it should involve something new. Although I don’t have to buy multiple backpacks, pens, or notebooks anymore, I had to for many years. Now that the kids are all gone and buying all this for their own kids, September still feels like a new beginning.

This past summer has been great. I love summer and refuse to think much about winter. As I write this blog it is close to 40 degrees in downtown Toronto. I can hear the birds, the streetcars, and the bugs rattling away because of the heat.

I am reading a book called “The Habit Revolution” by Dr. Gina Cleo. I enjoy books like this because they challenge me to do better. No matter how old we are, we can always improve somehow or continue growing in some area of our lives.

Today is my first day back in the city, and you can tell that not only have my house and house plants been sorely neglected, but my garden has too. I am not an avid gardener, but I do enjoy seeing plants grow and flourish. Although my garden is looking a bit sad, I can tell you one thing that has flourished effortlessly... weeds! The small ones were easy to pull, others, however, were huge! I needed to ask my son to help me because the job was too big for me. We still didn’t even get the root. I am going to have to dig that thing out of the garden later... when it is not so hot.

I thought about habits I wanted to break. The ones that are not helping me need to go. However, if they are habits I have had for a long time, like that massive weed, they will surely require some hard work. As for the newer, smaller, not big-deal habits — I will need to be mindful to make different choices, but removing them will not be nearly as difficult.

God invites us to look to Him for whatever we need. There are some “weeds” in my life that need to go because they do not help, nor are they beneficial to anyone who knows me. I love that often-quoted verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13. Taking time to admit that without God’s help, we can’t do it reminds me of the first step in AA. “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.” The first step in overcoming anything is to be honest about it and admit that our situation has become too much for us to overcome. As Christians, we have Jesus, who does not gasp in surprise at our struggle, but rather loves us and leads us along. When we stumble, He loves us and stretches out His hand, and we try again.

I love the simple truth that the mercies of God are new every morning. What habits might you like to create this fall, or which habit would you like to get rid of?

Dear Father,

Thank you for your willingness to help me as I think about some of the habits that are not helping me these days. I know I need to get rid of them. Lead me as I take a few minutes to think- what are they, Lord? What habits are getting in the way of me being all that I could be? I know that I will never be perfect, but I can always be better. Help me I pray. Thank you,

In Jesus Name

Amen