Wednesday, January 2

Happy New Year!


Happy New Year!

2012 flew by, and here we are in a new year!  What joy there is in having a fresh start!



As I contemplated my goals and resolutions for this new year, I realized something important: once a year is not enough for me. One brand-new, clean-slate day per year is just not enough.
  • I'm not organized enough to proclaim the ways I'll be more organized this year.
  • I'm not goal-oriented enough to make a long list of goals for this year.
  • I'm not resolute enough to number the resolutions I need to make for this year.

I contemplate the new year, and I can easily feel overwhelmed and under-qualified. The fact is, I need a brand-new, clean-slate day every day.

And then I am reminded:

This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning.
Great is Your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him."
Lamentations 3:22-24

So many times I have put my hopes in my well-laid plans, in my desire to succeed, in my heartfelt determination to improve myself. And so many times I have had my hopes dashed as I failed to live up to my own expectations.

But oh! God is the One of whom the prophet could say "Great is Your faithfulness." His steadfast love never ceases; His mercies never end.

And His mercies are new every morning. Not just on New Year's Day, but on every day.

Which is just how often I need them.  How about you?

**I'm joining Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading.**


14 comments:

  1. Oh dear friend. I love this. (Love the verse you chose, too!!) ;)
    Happy New Year with hugs!

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  2. Well said! I love the idea of a clean slate every day, what could be better! Hope you have a great New Year!

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  3. Jessica, I hope your new year is wonderful, too! Can you believe it's 2013?

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  4. Love the idea of a clean slate every morning, just the idea of this makes knowing that tomorrow I can start clean again. Happy New Year!

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  5. Amen sister! You are speaking my language.

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  6. Oh- I need them everyday, too...those tender mercies....and help....and enlightening. God bless you in 2013. xo Diana

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  7. Thank goodness! :) I need them too, just like you I get overwhelmed and feel failure when I don't succeed at my own goals or improvements inside and out. Happy New Year Richella!

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  8. Yup! I need His great mercies every morning, too! Couldn't go on without them.

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  9. Oh yes, I need them every day, every minute. Praise God for His mercies. Happy New Year, Richella!

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  10. I love that scripture and an apt one for me today as we embark on the journey of the unemployed. Trusting with all I have in his mercies.

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  11. I do love the idea of a clean slate everyday.

    Happy New Year Richella!

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  12. What a refreshing way to look at setting goals and making plans for the new year! I love the reminder that our clean slate is just a prayer away! Thank you for your honesty :)

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  13. If this was Facebook, I'd give you a great big "like", but since it is not, I will settle with a heartfelt "love it!" You have a such a way of taking my thoughts and putting them down into words. Thank you! Have a blessed New Year!

    Judy :)

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  14. Lovely thought. It is definitely about living each day and trusting God for it.

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