Beginning Fresh

A Clean Slate

I pick up my house every night. I like to hear the dishwasher humming, washing that day’s dishes. I like to throw the last load of clothes in the dryer, so it will be ready for folding the next day. I want all the shoes, mail, homework, etc. all put away and out of sight. I also make sure that I’ve spent time with the Lord, served my husband, poured into my family, worked out and wrote a little. When I wake up the next morning, I want a clean slate to start my day, knowing that I did what I could yesterday to help my life today.

Wiped Clean

I want yesterday’s messes wiped clean, so today’s journey can begin fresh.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43.18-19)

Start Fresh

I also feel this need to start fresh every New Year. Just recently I cleaned up all the files on my computer. I took all that year’s family photos off of my desktop and onto a portable hard drive. I organized the files of each of my books. I made new folders for my new writing projects. I updated my family blog, and I made photo books of that year’s family adventures. It felt as if I were zipping up this year and placing it in a shadow box of memories.

Examine

I also like to look at the past 12 months and examine what I have accomplished and what I still want to achieve. I ask the Holy Spirit if I’m walking in His best and if there are any areas in my life that could be better. I scrutinize my ways and test them. I realize that my life is short, and I want to be a good steward of my days and all the responsibilities and blessings that God has granted me.

Improve

This is not a time to shame myself; rather, it is a time to improve and to grow in the Lord.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13.5).

Rooted

I don’t fret too much on the past because I know God’s mercies are new every day, and He can always make a new Plan A from my choices and circumstances. As long as I stay rooted in Him, I can trust that my life will be pleasing to God and part of His Kingdom Plan. I want a new slate for the New Year because I have a great expectancy that God is doing something new in my life. I wrap up each year like a Christmas gift and place each one at the foot of God’s throne. God is always up to something amazing, and I can’t wait to watch the New Year unfold before me.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90.12).

Expectant

What about you? Have you closed up last year and prepared yourself for the New Year? Do you have a great expectancy that God is doing something new? Join me on as I step into the New Year with great awe and love for the Lord. He loves us, and He wants to achieve amazing things in and through us!