New Every Morning!

I always find New Year's Eve a bit surreal.  In one moment, in a single second, the whole world (well, at least those within our time-zone) have collectively crossed over a threshold. 

A brand new year.  A blank page.  A new chapter.  Or maybe even a brand new note-book?  No dog ears, or creases or crossed-out paragraphs.  No tea-rings on the front cover.

We say to ourselves: 'This is the year I'm going to: ______________________ (you fill in the blank!)'

Everywhere we turn, we're bombarded with 'YOU CAN DO IT!' messages, such as:

• Veganuary!  20 recipes to improve your gut health!
• Walk Yourself Fit in 2025 - Thirty Days to a Brand New YOU!
• Declutter Challenge - Get A Clutter Free Home in 5 Simple Steps!

These things can sound really good, can't they?  And in a sense, I'm not knocking them.  Taking stock of where we are  and setting new goals can be super helpful - especially in the context of our writing.  

But...deep down inside, there's this underlying sense of reality. Apart from the date, has anything significant actually changed?

You look in the mirror. Same face. Same need to face the day. The dishwasher needs unloading again. That old pile of ironing...yep. It's still there.  And as for that chapter book...the one you started several years ago now...well it's not getting any easier to finish.

The truth is, on 1st January, we don't wake up any different.  I'm the same old me.  You're the same old you.

And by about January 17th, usually once you've broken your resolve and missed the 5am Writer's Club, two days in a row - and then to console yourself, you've just stuffed your face with an entire packet of Tyrrell's Sweet Chili and Red Pepper Crisps whilst watching some sappy Hallmark Movie, well - it can all feel like a bit of a let-down. 

BUT there is good news!

This is what the word of God says:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end.  They are new every morning.  Great is Thy Faithfulness!  Lamentations 3:23

With the dawning of every day, regardless of whether it's 1st January, or 25th April, or 7th September...each and every day that I live and breathe, I'm given a completely fresh start. A gift! A brand new day, with new mercies just waiting to be discovered.  Not yesterday's leftovers. Nope. God's mercies are new every morning. Now there's something worth writing about!

The chances are, if I've started the New Year with good intentions...at some point down the road - I'll probably fail. But my God, He never fails. He never grows weary. His steadfast love never ceases. His mercies don't run out of puff. They are always fresh, always new. Never failing, never ceasing.  He's the One I can look to for help in my writing endeavours.  And with every setting sun, if I'm intentional enough to count my blessings, I can go to bed singing: 'Great is Thy faithfulness!"  

Surely, we of all people, have a wealth of treasure to write about!