A New Year

I love fresh starts. A blank piece of paper, a clean kitchen, a new and unmarked calendar...these are a few of my favorite things.

I think people look forward to New Year's Day for the same reason. Yesterday I feverishly packed away Christmas and cleaned my house so I could wake up today to order.

As I flipped open my January 2011 calendar yesterday I saw that there were things already written...appointments, regular activities, birthdays and the like. But there is also a whole lot of white space representing the unknowns about the future that are yet to be filled in. I am reminded that even those things that seem 'set' could change due to unforeseen circumstances between now and then.

Every time I get a new calendar I start with the best intentions--a system of color coding or trying to use only pencil. I intend for things to stay neat and orderly. Despite my good intentions, this plan usually works for about a week. Invariably life happens. Things get scribbled out. I hurriedly write something in on the wrong date or in the wrong color. Good intentions meet the reality of life.

So, this year, while I do have one resolution (more on that in a later post) I am trying to concentrate more on the fact that a Christian has the hope of a 'new year' and 'fresh start' constantly. We don't have to wait for the calendar page to turn or a specific date that only rolls around every 365 days. Isn't that a blessing? We can call out for God--a God who hears us when we cry--and start over whether the calendar says January 1, August 22 or any other date.

A trick of our Adversary is to convince us it is too late to start over. Or worse yet, to get us to put off the starting over until a later date. Once I get out of college...When I get to my thirties...When I have children...Once I get all the children in school...After I get through this trying season... There will never be an ideal time or perfect circumstances. This way of thinking is clever deception.

We must remember God is not bound by a calendar. He chose to love us with a compassion that breaks through human rules and logic.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Don't get me wrong. I love a fresh calendar, a new year, a new day as much as the next girl. I am so thankful to serve a God who can deliver that any time He wants.

Praise God & Happy New Year!