Week 5: Welcome Back
Welcome back! That feels like the theme of the season, doesn’t it? Kids are going back to school, fall is just around the corner, and the pace of life is picking up again. Even if you don’t have children, or your children are grown, you can still feel that “welcome back” energy all around you. Welcome back to old routines. Welcome back to full calendars. Welcome back to the familiar hustle.
This week for Grace in the Middle, I want to reflect on what it means to welcome back spiritual growth in the middle of it all.
How can we enter this season of renewed routine without feeling overwhelmed? I believe it starts with intentionality. Yes, school is in session. Yes, our schedules are filling up. But we don’t have to fall into autopilot. We get to choose how we spend our time—and how we prioritize our walk with Christ.
Keeping Him at the center is the best way to find balance in the chaos.
What does that look like practically? It doesn’t have to be complicated.
When you wake up in the morning, before you even get out of bed, say a simple prayer. Something like, “Thank you for my rest.” Or go a little deeper. Bring up what you have going on for the day and invite Him in: “Father, thank you for my rest and for giving me another day to be your hands and feet. Today I have…… I give this day to you. Prepare me for whatever you have in store.”
As you move through your day, look for glimpses of how God is working or guiding you. When you notice something—pause and talk to Him about it.
Be intentional with what you allow into your mind and heart, even something as simple as the music in your car. If religious music feels unfamiliar or you haven’t found anything you love yet, try a new artist or station. What we listen to shapes our thoughts, moods, and even our actions.
And when those old rhythms creep in—whether it’s negative thinking, frustration, or behaviors that don’t align with who you want to be—bring them to God. Don’t carry them alone. It’s easy to slide back into what’s familiar, but small, intentional steps will help keep God at the center. The beautiful thing is, He’s already there—we’re just learning to notice.
