In just a few days, we will begin a new year. We’ll make toasts, smooch a sweetie, watch a giant sphere of sparkles descend in Times Square, and maybe even sing “Auld Lang Syne” as an old year makes its exit and a new one begins. A whole entire year of blank squares on the calendar will swoop in with 365 brand new days, waiting to be filled. There’s something even more enticing about that kind of fresh start than the clean white pages of a new notebook or a new box of crayons in September.
Something in us craves a new beginning, a chance to make wrongs right. The promise of a clean slate is thrilling and stirs up a part of our soul. We pin so many hopes and dreams on the start of a new year, don’t we? We set resolutions, create goals, hope to start new habits and break old ones, and declare, “This will be the year of (insert your word here)!”
So much hope, pinned to a blank slate.
It’s a lot of pressure for one, by all means ordinary, month. By about January 13th, so many of our hopes have been dashed, and our hearts along with them. We miss a day of working out and feel guilty. We eat something off our “cheat list” and feel guilty. We spend money off-budget and feel guilty. The new leaves we’d hoped to turn are stickier than expected, and we guiltily settle back into what’s comfortable, disappointed again in our failed new year.
So much guilt, piled on lofty hopes and big dreams.
Here’s the thing: we don’t have to wait for a new year (or even a new notebook) to turn a new leaf, break a bad habit, and make a few goals. We can start this morning, right now, this second.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.– Lamentations 3:22-23
Each day begins white as snow. Each day gives us a do-over. Each and every day starts with fresh mercy and new grace. Guilt doesn’t have to enter the picture. There’s no big party to welcome a new day, no sparkly orb or bands playing, no confetti tossed. New days dawn quietly, simply rolling in unannounced. Mercy is fresh and still covered in dew while grace, gentle, smiles soft in the background of the sunrise. If we’re too loud, we might miss it: the whispered invitation to a faithful love.
So much goodness, provided in our every day.
He offers. We accept. And so goes the dance of a new day, of fresh mercy, of guiltless dreams.
Leave a Comment
Claire says
What a beautiful post. I enjoyed your take on this immensely.
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Anna,
What a blessing that His mercies are new every morning…not just on Jan 1. Thank you for a beautiful reminder that we can exchange our guilt for His grace!! As you said, “So much goodness…”
Blessings,
Bev
Kristen says
Thank you for this reminder that Gods mercy and grace is new everyday, that we don’t have to hold on to the past, but we get a new beginning every single day!
Ifeoma Samuel says
Thank you for your post Anna. Amazing things happen when we lay our expectations and resolutions down at his feet. Thank you and enjoy your holidays.
http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com/
shelly says
I am starting a new job today. The first time I have worked outside my home in 14 years, and the first independent financial step I’ve taken since leaving my abusive marriage in March.
All weekend I stayed home and tried to ground myself and gear up for this by soul searching and praying. I know this a baby step, but it’s a big step for me.
I humbly ask for any prayers to help me as I venture out into my “New Year” today!
Thank you.
Linda N says
Praying for you!
Beth Coulton says
Congratulations! You are entering a brave new world and you will be all the stronger for it. Today is my 3 month anniversary at my new job – a job that is more demanding and full-time than I’ve had my entire life. It’s an exciting step for each of us, and since God has brought you to it, He will lead you through it! Praying it’s a great day for you!
(I remember the weekend before I started this job on September 29th. My knees were knocking and my stress was through the roof! But it went fine – yours will too.)
Laurie Z says
Shelly, you can do this!!! I was in your shoes 6 years ago and am amazed at the strength and confidence God continues to give me each and everyday. Your baby steps may seem small to some, but when you get home from work today, thank your God and celebrate like you’ve just won the lottery because in many ways you have! Freedom from the bondage and lies is huge!! You are a precious daughter of the Most High! Let Him Husband you, and Father you <3
Hosea 2:19-20
And then I’ll marry you for good—forever!
I’ll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness.
Yes, I’ll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go.
You’ll know me, God, for who I really am.
June says
Praying for you, Shelly. God will see you through! Blessings.
Anna Rendell says
Shelly. That is a HUGE step. I can’t tell you how proud of you I am, how affected I am by your story, and the slight sense of ferocious mama bear that comes over me for you in this new and brave stage of your life. You have taken giant leaps of faith and I am praying, praying that they bless you. God is so faithful, Shelly, and will continue to guard and love you well.
Blessings upon blessings to you, Shelly!!
Beth Williams says
Shelly,
Congratulations on the job. May God bless you now and always! Prayers for a great new beginning in this job and your future!
Blessings and Happy New Year!
((((Hugs))))
Linda N says
Excellent & timely post. I am as guilty as the next person in waiting to start something new. I’ll start on Monday, on the 1st of the month, the delays go on. Thank you for reminding me that every day God blesses us with a fresh start. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you.
Beth Coulton says
Thank you – I needed this just this morning. I have no need to wait for January 1 or next Monday or any other moment in time to begin again. I can start right now, no matter the day of the week or the date of the year. Thanks for this most beautiful of reminders.
Athena says
Thank you for this. It was much needed 🙂
Augusta Muthigani says
Living well means have money that puts a smile on other people’s face.
Suem says
It means living with a broken heart-one that breaks with compassion, breaks with love for others and breaks down barriers that interfere with my ability to walk with God.
Suem says
Oh, I am so sorry-I replied on the wrong post-
Anne Marie says
How beautiful! Thank you so much for the inspiration this morning!
Anne Marie says
Lifting you up in prayer, Shelly! Praying that the Lord will order your steps and go before you to make your path smooth.
Melissa Ens says
Love this. “New Mercy” – the new every morning kind – has already been brewing in my heart as my “word” for 2015. So yes and amen to your post! : )
Joanne says
Shelly I prayed for you!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
Yes! Beautiful post, Anna. New mercy, new day. Exactly right. Like the song (Great Is Thy Faithfulness) says, from the passage in Lamentations: “Morning by morning new mercies I see! Thou changest not; Thy compassions they fail not; great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”
I’m so grateful for that do-over every day, every week! I need it always. Thank You Jesus!
Beth Williams says
This year was/has been rough dealing with my aging dad’s health and moving into assisted living as well as job issues for me and hubby. Praise God He has chosen to give me another chance at work to prove myself.
Also sad that I lost two friends–one on Thanksgiving day and one a few days before Christmas! Even with all that I am eternally grateful that His mercies are new everyday!
Prayers for everyone! Have a blessed New Year!
Kelly says
Very nice just wish I could receive it more into my spirit.
Emily H. Lucas says
Beautiful post! A New Day, A New Year, New Mercy GOD is giving us without guilt, a blessing each day of the year!
Love with blessings for a Happy New Year,
Emily H. Lucas
Lisa says
New Beginnings every day and every year. Start overs and do overs, and lots and lots of grace.
Patti says
Thank you so much Anna! Just the reminder I needed for today and everyday.
lorna says
I am so touched! Grazie di tutto for the beautiful message!
Jacqueline says
Beth God bless you with His healing power inHis Son Jesus name. I thank God this morning as I read your message and the messages of so many others it shows we all stand in need of the precious hope God promises through His Son Jesus. It is through this victory we are able to put one foot in front of another His grace & mercy provides that to each of us as we trust Him . Sometimes the way gets so difficult & and hard even unbearable Yet, God is ever present holding us caring about every detail of our lives, even the very smallest to the biggest, He remains Creator of the universe even when we at times don’t understand there is and always will be answers in His Holy Word. I wish all of you the very presence of Jesus love to lead, guide, provide, lift you up and help you and yours and mine throughout 2015 giving us victory in every situation we encounter in the New Year, remember Jesus came down out of love for each and everyone of us as if it was just one of us. Keep your eyes of your heart on Him and we can make it through 2015 in victory! Happy blessed New year to all of you in Jesus Name Amen! Thank you for lifting my spirit by sharing your hearts, mine was low this morning, it helped coming here.