A Fresh Start, A Clean Slate, A New Beginning

There’s just something about a fresh start. A clean slate. A new beginning.

Am I right?

I find the dawning of each new year to be an exciting point in time, filled with unlimited potential, and infinite opportunities. We dream. We anticipate new experiences. We look forward to what the new year will hold. We set goals or resolutions. We say with determined resolve, “This is going to be my year!” And we just know it’s going to be.

There’s no end to creativity, belief, courage, and hope when we have a blank canvas or a book of blank pages–such as a new year–in front of us. A beautiful picture is waiting to be painted. A compelling story is waiting to be written. And only you can paint it. Only you can write that story.

The dismal reality is, many of us only see that blank canvas or the blank pages on January 1 of each year. We get ready to paint or write or live out our hopes and dreams, only to find life happens to us the second or third week of January. By February 1, we’ve settled back into the routine rhythm of life. Without even realizing it.

Our fresh start becomes a stale has-been.

Sure, there are other times in life when we encounter a fresh start… A new job. A move to a different home or location. Starting a new endeavor. Getting married. Beginning college or retirement.

But God reminded me of something this morning. He reminded me that a fresh start isn’t a once-a-year thing. It’s not even contingent on experiencing a change in life.

God gives us a fresh start each and every day.

Yes, every day. A clean slate. A new beginning.

I knew this, but I forgot. Some days I just need a reminder.

Maybe you do, too.

Friend, today is a new day. It’s a new gift. One we’ve never opened before. We have a choice to tear into the gift wrap, fling it open, and embrace it. Or we can let it sit and collect dust. Unopened.

We can either paint a beautiful picture on its canvas, or we can allow it to remain blank, white, and unused.

We have the option of writing a compelling story on today’s blank page, or we can wait and think, “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

We’ll never be given the opportunity to live this day again.

I say we make the most of this fresh start. This clean slate. This new beginning.

As you make the most of this day, someone else’s life will be impacted. Someone will benefit from viewing your beautiful one-of-a-kind painting. Someone will be touched by reading your story. Someone will be changed by your influence in his/her life. Someone will be blessed because you chose to live the life God has given you today.

Because you, my friend, make a difference.

Thank you for making a difference in my life. Now, let’s go out and make this fresh start, this clean slate, this new beginning a beautiful masterpiece!

Much love,

Julie

 

P.S. I’d love to hear from you. How does this thought impact the way you’re living today? What’s one simple thing you can do to make the most of the day you’ve been given? What kind of painting did you paint or story did you write on today’s blank canvas or page? I find sometimes the most simple expressions are the most beautiful. We’ll talk more on this tomorrow.