Happy New Start!

So, what are you striving to do differently in this new year? Did you set resolutions? I didn’t, but I did make a mental list of some things I want to do better at. I didn’t set myself an actual goal to reach, but I want to be more cognizant of certain areas I’ve honed in on.

I always enjoy nestling into a bed with clean sheets and opening a brand new package of plain old, blue-lined notebook paper. Can you think of something you feel similarly about? How about the first time you cozy your feet in a soft, fluffy pair of new socks? There’s something refreshing about newness.

I think of God’s mercies being new every morning. How grateful and blessed it is to open our eyes in the morning to a brand new day which hasn’t been stepped into yet. Nothing has messed up yet and no mistakes have been made. We wake up from a good night’s sleep and step into a day full of possibilities with the Lord by our sides.

I think of the newness of the joy of the Lord which comes in the morning. A new day to begin walking out confidently with Him. Nothing to regret or to recover from. Newness.

I hope in the beginning of this new year, we can all begin on a fresh, clean slate - no eraser marks, scribbles or crossed out letters to clutter up our start. I pray we live out each day to the best of our abilities and leave the rest to God. I hope we love big, give from pure hearts, and serve with clean hands. I hope each day, when our feet hit the floor, that we’ll begin our day with purpose and intent. Start out new! Leave behind what happened last year, yesterday or if need be, just a few seconds ago.

God gives us a new minute every sixty seconds, if we need to start over, let’s do it now.

Let’s not give the enemy of our soul a moment to get even a toe-hold into our day. Let’s live in the light of the Lord, strengthened and upheld by His highly capable hands. Let’s be encouraged as we walk into each new day knowing we’re not alone. God is the same yesterday, today and forever; He’s not going to start slacking today.

Roll all of yesterday, last year, and life up until this moment onto Him. Commit everything done unto Him and He will direct our paths and carry us through today and tomorrow. All things are new in Him! Let’s not waste another minute carrying any old baggage He wants us to let go of. Empty that suitcase full of extra weights you’ve been carrying and let’s start repacking with the God things offered by the Lord which won’t weigh us down a bit.

Nothing like that new car smell, that freshly baked tray of cookies, nor a fresh, clean T-shirt. There’s also nothing like the promises of God which are available to us fresh each new day. Like a piping hot biscuit right out of the oven! Let’s take advantage of all His goodness and faithfulness. Let’s give a fresh start - and a fresh praise - to Him every morning. Let’s offer a clean heart for Him to dwell in. He’s worthy of it! I just have an inkling that if we’ll do our part, He’ll show up in our day and year like we weren’t expecting. Won’t you give it a try with me?

Be encouraged and inspired to live today, and the next day, with an eagerness and newness in your spirit. Hope. Love. Joy. Commitment. Dedication. In all we do, let’s give it our best as unto the Lord, I’m sure He likes fresh starts best too.

May God’s blessings and strength go with you!