How Do I?

With every sun comes a new day and in that day there are things to do, people to see, words to be said, thoughts to be thought, moments to be shared and opportunities to be taken. 

However things, people, words, thoughts, moments, opportunities do not always go as planned and do not always happened as hoped. 

I get it wrong and at times I completely mess up. I do not do the things I should do, my words are not as kind as they could be, people might see the wrong side of me, my thoughts are not thoughtful, moments are spoilt and opportunities are wasted.

In these times I can react and cover up my mess by heaping the blame on to someone else. Or I can choose to do things differently and consider why I messed up, why I chose reaction over response. It is not always easy to speak the good and right things into the lives of the people we have the privilege of sharing. However it is my responsibility to press into what is good and right and make every effort to uphold truth and show worth. 

Today I would like to try and be someone who tries to do, see, say, think and be in a better way. I hope I can give myself a bit of slack when I get it wrong. I pray that when I fall, because I inevitably will, I can dig deep to hold on to what I know is true as I get back up. 

So today, as I do, see, say, think and be, I hope that I can find the strength to pause a moment and then, as I continue on make the better choice and respond with love.

In This Moment

When the waves keep crashing down and I know that I am still a long way from the safety of shore. I sit here knowing that I could very easily sink, then I know that in this moment I have a choice to make.

So in this moment instead of saying, "I cannot do this," I am going to say, "God, please show me how to do this."

I will keep on and as I do I will lift my gaze and keep my eyes above the water. I will do today covered with the truth that I AM LOVED.

And when tomorrow's sun brings it’s new day I hope to be able to lift my gaze once again.

All Things New

Life is not always straight forward. The path can be bumpy or smooth, there may be unexpected corners and sharp bends or the road might be long and monotonous.

Life is a journey and as I continue on, I have been learning that God makes all things new. I have been challenged to look for the newness in my circumstances. To see things afresh rather than approaching them with fear.

This time of year is often thought of as a time of new beginnings, particularly if life involves school or college or university. For me, today was a new day just simply because it was! However, it was also the very first page of another chapter.

A first page that required choices...anxiety or calm...doubting or trusting. Life does not stand still and as I face each new day, am I going to make the better choice?

Well today, that choice was made for me!

I went outside into the garden to hang out the washing (somethings will never change!) and I noticed the colours of the sunrise reflected in the morning sky. Then I saw a beautiful rainbow yet it was definitely not raining.

So where did the rainbow come from? Scientists might tell me different, although I believe that it was there for me, to remind me that God is Faithful and He will use whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. He will use them for good and in ways I could never hope for or imagine.

Each day and whatever comes with it, is an opportunity to step into newness. As every sun brings a new day and new circumstances, I hope to be faithful too.

'...all things have become new.'

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New King James Version)