The new year always offers us a chance to erase the errors of the past and have a new beginning.  Thank God!!  We all make so many mistakes and often fail ourselves and others.  Every January we get a fresh start, a clean slate, a blank page.  Many people make New Year’s resolutions at this time; things that they can do to have a better year.  I wonder if our list looks at all like God’s list.

Perhaps we want to get in shape/lose some weight.  To achieve this we will eat less and exercise more.  God may desire us to read His word instead of eating so much, and to learn to pray and run at the same time.  Maybe we want to watch less TV or spend less time on the computer.  What will we do with that extra time?   Let’s go jogging with the neighbor who has just been through an ugly divorce.  Let’s start a Bible study with the kids in the neighborhood.

The only thing that never changes is God and change itself.  We can make positive changes to our lifestyle, but only God can change our hearts.  He can give us more love and compassion for those in trouble.  He can lead us to places where we will find someone in need. 

One time God prompted me to go to Walmart at 11:00pm.  I just wanted to go to bed.  It was cold and snowing and I really didn’t feel well.  But, I knew that voice so I got dressed and went to Walmart.  There I ran into an old Christian friend, who I hadn’t seen in years.  She needed encouraged after just having a major surgery.  It was so good to reconnect with her.  I call that a divine appointment.

We all have a fresh start, whether we choose to take it or not, is completely up to each one of us.  I can always use a “do over”, as the kids call it.  I can always use forgiveness.  I can always enter into new relationships or restart old ones.  I am thankful for the New Year and what it holds for me.