Happy New…

There’s something invigorating about new. Whether it’s a new job, relationship, car, home, clothes or even a new restaurant in town, there’s just something about new. Even if it’s not actually new, yet new to us, it’s refreshing to have or do something new.

Isn’t it interesting how we get so caught up in a new year? For some odd reason, we think this New Year will somehow alter our lives. Celebrating the New Year is the biggest “do over” ever. How often do we hear, “I’m so glad this year is over, the New Year will be so much better!”?

A fresh start becomes the goal. A new diet or exercise regimen begins on January 1st. What we didn’t accomplish last year, we WILL accomplish in this New Year!

I wonder though, if we had the same attitude each and every day, how our lives would change? What if I woke up every morning with the conviction to make it a brand new something?

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life” Charles Dederich

Instead of waiting for a brand new year, how about a brand new moment; a brand new hour;  a brand new morning; a brand new day?

In this parable in Mark 2:21-22 Jesus wants us to understand that new begins with us. He says: “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

A healthier lifestyle, a better relationship, or new anything begins within.  If my thought process has not changed, if my selfishness has not been dealt with, if my attitude toward food or people has not been examined, then the newness of a year will not make a bit of difference.

Maybe you truly do need a New Year. Maybe for you, this is a chance to do some self-examination, to make a few internal changes even more than external changes. I encourage you to take it not one year at a time, but one moment at a time. Every new change begins with the first moment which leads to the next, then the next.

For many, this past year needs to be forgotten. It’s been a long time coming for a fresh start. Maybe, just maybe you hope, a brand new year will help fade the difficult memories.

There are times, in moments of despair, when a brand new breath is all that will see us through. The loving hand of Jesus, to lift us up into newness, is just a breath away. Close your eyes and let that truth sink in to every part of your being.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB

Every day we are new in Christ. We have the opportunity for a “do over” every moment of every day. Thank You Sweet Jesus!

As we celebrate this brand new year, let us also celebrate our brand new selves.  Since we are new in Christ each and every day, we have so much to celebrate!

Whatever your new is, Happy New to you!

In His embrace,

Toni

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