He could have made it all one long day. Aren’t you glad there was evening and morning on that first one? Ours is a God of Mondays, of new beginnings, of starting again, of seasons and weekends and tomorrows. He begins the day with love and ends it with faithful. And then again tomorrow.
Even as I say that, I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Don’t I say that every year? And doesn’t every year bring with it similar heartache, loss, anxiety, stress, worry, busy-ness, lists, and fear?
The air of January may not bring you the new you were hoping for. It may not bring job security or weight loss or a marriage proposal or a positive pregnancy test. It may not bring the new you want. But if you pay attention, January will carry in her arms baskets overflowing with the new you need: new mercies, new hope, new eyes to see the blessings. We have the power to choose to receive them. Or not.
I believe the new year is a beautiful picture of redemption, no matter what the last year held. And even though we know that we will face those same annoyances we faced last year, we ourselves are being made new day by day. And when it comes down to it, that is the new I desperately need. Inside new. Heart new. Eyes new.
On this second Monday of 2011, is there anything you are choosing to see new?
by Emily Freeman, Chatting at the Sky
Leave a Comment
melissa says
love this. so so appropriate and much needed. thank you for the {in}couraging words:)))
happy monday.
Emily Freeman says
Thanks, Melissa. I’m so glad!
Jessica Turner says
This made me think of Nicole Nordeman’s song, All Things New. Thank you for the reminder. xo
Robin ~ PENSIEVE says
With a fresh covering of snow on the ground–and you KNOW how rare that is for us Southerners!!!–I’m intentionally looking for the newest of Ordinary Marvels. They’re EVERYWHERE! Dandelions, rainbows, and even in the dance of snowflakes outside my window. I’m choosing to see Creation as fresh as God’s mercies :).
Happy thoughts, Emily!
Tammy@If Meadows Speak says
“But if you pay attention, January will carry in her arms baskets overflowing with the new you need: new mercies, new hope, new eyes to see the blessings.” Yes. I need these “new”s every day. Thanks for the encouragement.
Kelli says
Gods goodness. I’m learning to look for it even when my emotions are weighted and life is unstable. God is still and always GOOD
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deidra says
No matter what goes on in life, God is all about making ME new. My 46 years have taught me that. And while I know it in my head, sometimes it takes awhile for my heart to catch up. God is all about me. All about you. All about us. Making us new.
Liza says
“The air of January may not bring you the new you were hoping for. … It may not bring the new you want. But if you pay attention, January will carry in her arms baskets overflowing with the new you need….” – Thank you Emily for this msg….I’m just returning from a v.discouraging report on a job interview, now for some time…I’m learning to focus on God especially in these trying times…Happy New Year to you…
Emily Freeman says
Hi Liza – So sorry about your discouraging job interview. May you experience a lighter perspective, even now. And may your heart be infused with courage.
I Live in an Antbed says
I am choosing to see how I can speak blessings into each and every situation and each and every life. WOW!! I am so excited because this has the potential to change everything!
Emily Freeman says
I so agree! It CAN change everything! Love the way you say that…
Abby says
This was perfect Emily, thank you.
This linked up with my ‘Jesus Calling’ devotional in starting the habit of saying ‘I trust You’ no matter what…so in this year of transition to move overseas and the support raising and travel that accompany…so much unsurity…I am opening a heart of trust fresh to Him.
Thanks again…you have a way of saying so much with so few words…hopefully you already know this is a special gift, so receive it again:) Abby:)
amy says
I love this!! So applicable to my life today….to trust in God’s goodness and His plan regardless of negative pregnancy tests….plans that don’t pan out….trusting He knows best above all else.
Meg says
Wow, thank you so much. Reading through this, I felt the Lord speaking to me. Thank you for your words. I will trust that January will “carry in her arms baskets overflowing with the new [I] need: new mercies, new hope, new eyes to see the blessings.”
Thanks again!
Robin says
I am learning a new way of looking at every new year–every new day, I guess.
Through Jesus’ eyes.
Completed and good.
I am learning to be grateful at the beginning.
Believing ahead of and regardless of what the day brings, that what is already accomplished…waiting for me…is good!
His very best good for me!
I appreciate your words shared today!
Ann Voskamp@A Holy Experience says
Oh. Emily.
You have no idea how much I need to read these words this morning. God-filled, holy and true words.
The fears all stalking close and ugly and big today… and I’m breathing deep and beating them back with the truth of how much bigger He is and how He only gives love, He can’t give us anything apart from His love… and in your beautiful words, He whispers it again, “Behold I make all things new.”
New courage and new trust and new sufficiency… and new joy!
Isn’t this Monday full of wonder?
I am so grateful for you, Emily…. and all these sisters…
Ann
Debbie Simler-Goff says
Oh boy did I need this today. Love the phrase… “The God of Mondays”…
So often, Mondays represent new demands and expectations. Thank-you for reminding me to relax and breath in God’s mercy and love.
Melissa Michaels says
Yes, we need to CHOOSE to see. Beautiful post, Em. Always insightful, I do love your encouragement to hang in there and see things how God does!
Alexandra says
Your words are always such a beautiful vessel for sharing God’s grace. What joy there is in knowing that EVERY MORNING God’s mercies are new!
Holley Gerth says
Oh, yes, the new. I’m breathing deep now and thanking Him for all this is to come. And for the blessing, the joy, of sharing this word journey with you!
katie @ Imperfect People says
New eyes. Great word. Thanks for your encouraging words!
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms says
This post is an effervescent breath of fresh air. *Ahhh*
Gosh I love it here!
Living the Balanced Life says
I am learning to look at myself anew. Not the way I see me, but the way that He sees me. My vision is skewed, but His is perfect, and He would never lie to me, like I lie to myself…
Bernice
How does your faith affect your ability to cope?
Faith Barista Bonnie says
“even though we know that we will face those same annoyances we faced last year, we ourselves are being made new day by day.”
I had a “Monday” *today*. 😉
Parenting is my biggest challenge this week *breathe*. 😉
Love how you pack so many breaths of grace in this heart-lifting post, Emily!
Cindy Byrd says
Thanks, Melissa, this was just what I needed to hear on a cold January morning. I was feeling so low, but your reminder that God’s timing is perfect helps so much! Blessings sent your way on this day!