New

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

My wife and I are celebrating New Year’s Eve in our traditional fashion. We are staying home. I am watching football and she is researching on the internet. I pretty usual night. It all started back in 1970 when we were dating. Rosemary got all dressed up to go out on New Year’s Eve and I showed up to pick her up in jeans and a t–shirt. She ended up agreeing to marry me anyway and we’ve never gone out on New Year’s eve for the last forty-five years.

I’ve never understand the big deal over New Year’s anyway. I understand the fondness for newness. Who doesn’t like the smell of a new car or having anything “new?” The “newness” of the first of the year is pretty artificial. Frankly, for most of us, our lives are no different on January the first from what they are on December 31st. Even when we used to write a lot more checks it would take me weeks to update to the new year. I don’t know anyone who really makes long-standing significant life changes through resolutions made on January 1st. We do have one New Year’s tradition I really like. I cook on New Years. The meal is pretty standard: black eye peas and cabbage casserole for sure. Both my culinary skills and imagination are limited. I do enjoy the football games especially when, like tomorrow, the Gators are playing.

Though I’m not impressed by “new” years, I do like to look at each day as “new.” Every day is a chance to move on from the mistakes of yesterday. It’s an opportunity to love and live better. Think about how good our God was to design our world to restart every morning. I don’t know about you but about the time it gets dark I need to start to chill, rest and recycle. When the sun comes back up, I’m usually refreshed in body, mind and spirit and in a better place to take on life’s challenges.

I do pray that you make it through whatever celebrations you are enjoying this evening and have a great new day tomorrow and for the 364 days there after.

Blessings.