It's A Brand New Day!

I am so thankful for new beginnings. Everything can be going wrong and seem incredibly difficult when I go to bed at night - yet I open my eyes the next morning to a brand new day! My expectations are high, my opportunities endless, and my faith is as big as God. I know that the impossible circumstances faced yesterday are subject to change today. Hope abounds!

I faced a disappointment this past week. God has done an amazing work in my life thus far in 2009. I anticipated a new "me" when confronted with crisis. I thought that if my heart was "cut", I would "bleed" Jesus...that the fruit of the Spirit would still be sweet...that God's peace and grace would manifest quickly. Instead, after a week of spiritual warfare, family crisis (my father had surgery and my daughter spent a few days at the hospital), and major sleep deprivation, I oozed with STRESS all weekend! Instead of manifesting peace, I manifested frustration. And I couldn't find the sweet fruit anywhere! (Smile)

In years past, I would have been very discouraged after a weekend such as this. I would feel I'd failed God. I would be ashamed of dishonoring Jesus with my weak faith. Instead I have learned to embrace the NEW DAY!

I can't change yesterday. I can't wish or will it away. I can't undo mistakes or take back wrong words,thought, or actions. There's no need to waste time regretting or punishing myself for them. If I have turned from the unbelief (the source of most stress) and received forgiveness from my heavenly Father by faith, I can simply move on. I shake off the dust of yesterday and leave it all behind.

We are all walking in uncharted territory. God is taking us where we've never been before individually and corportely. Our way is not always clear. We are learning to walk in spiritual gifts and war with spiritual weapons not used before. We have a renewed focus to stay in step with God. We are being changed - and it is both wonderful and uncomfortable at the same time. Sometimes we get tired. Sometimes we may miss a step or neglect to use the gifts or weapons entrusted to us. We are all learning and growing together. This is why we must learn to embrace our God-given new beginnings every morning!

In the midst of the chaos on Saturday morning, I began singing in the Spirit, sensing that worship and intercession were a key to breakthrough. Suddenly I heard another little voice singing a similar melody with made-up sounds. It was my 3 year old grandson, Jordan. Life had been crazy for him all weekend, yet he was peaceful and seemingly unaware of the crisis. He was playing with his toys while singing with Nana to Jesus. Life was good, though the crisis was not yet past. Jordan manifested faith and the glory of God in the way I long to.

So this morning, I embraced my new day. I have great expectations. Who know what God will do? My hope and trust is in Him. By simply choosing to rest in Him, I can enjoy the same sweet peace my grandson manifested, becoming oblivious to the impossible workload or difficulties. I know God has it under control. TODAY I can taste His sweet fruit and manifest His goodness. It's a brand new day!