Day 29: Your Life Could Get Better
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In 1997, we found a cat that was paralyzed and had been shot in the chin with an air rifle. Mum spent about two grand at the vet and eventually he came good. We called him Houdini because he obviously cheated death, and after a traumatic start to life, he spent the next 25 years in absolute bliss — eating food and lounging in the sun.
Not all of us have a great start to life. If your life didn't start well, I'm genuinely sorry — and it’s unfair. But there are some things you can do now that will help the rest of your life be better. It may not be easy. You may need to see a counsellor, or get some help, or get some fresh air, or hook into a faith community — but I think it’s worth it.
Houdini started paralyzed and shot in the face — and his life turned out all right. Imagine how much more God wants to restore you to a place of peace.
Let’s Talk
Some of us are born into relaxation, others pop out in the middle of a storm. Trauma. Abuse. Neglect. Poverty. Violence. Addiction. Mental illness. Some start with a walk in the park, for others, its more like Jurassic park.
When you’ve had a rough start, it can feel like the trajectory is already set. Like your story’s already been written, and not in your favour. But just because something began in pain doesn't mean it has to end that way.
Houdini the cat didn’t get a fair beginning. But through care, time, and love, he ended up in a place of peace. A place of comfort. A place of trust. That’s not just a sweet animal story — it’s a picture of what restoration can look like for you.
If your first chapters were full of pain, you might believe that's all you’ll ever know. But hear this: God doesn’t write people off because of how their story started, he joins them in the mess and walks with them to new destinations.
Scripture
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.”
— Joel 2:25a (NIV)
This verse was spoken to a devastated people who had lost nearly everything. It wasn’t just about food and crops — it was about years they thought were wasted, seasons they thought were lost. And God’s promise was not just to forgive, but to restore.
This is the heart of God. He wants to restore the time, the dreams, the sense of self that may have been stolen from you.
Mental Health Moment
When we start from a deficit — emotionally, relationally, or mentally — it’s easy to carry a deep sense of shame or despair. But shame keeps us stuck. Despair tells us it will always be this way. Growth begins when we dare to imagine otherwise.
Yes, your healing might be slower than you hoped. Yes, it might take counselling, medication, community, and courage, but the path toward peace is sometimes long. It’s not about pretending everything’s fine — it’s about moving forward anyway.
Like Houdini, restoration might not look like a miracle in a moment — but over time, the effects of love, safety, and healing can do more than we ever imagined.
Spiritual Practice for the Week
Today, choose one small act of restoration for your soul.
Maybe it's scheduling your first counselling session.
Maybe it’s walking barefoot on the grass and breathing deep.
Maybe it’s joining a faith community — or just showing up once.
Maybe it’s replacing self-hatred with the simple truth: “I am not too broken to be loved.”
Pick one. Start there.
A Prayer for the Wounded and the Brave
God,
You saw me when my story started in pain.
You see me now, still carrying some of that weight.
Help me believe You’re not finished with my story.
Help me take a step toward restoration.
Surround me with people who remind me of Your kindness,
nd remind me that nothing can stop You from restoring what’s been lost.
Amen.
Reflection Prompt
What part of your story feels too broken to heal?
What would it look like to trust that God can still bring beauty, even there?
And what’s one step you could take this week to move toward that healing?
