Not enough

Happy New Year!

Here we are at January 1, the first day of a new year, a new decade. What joy there is in having a fresh start!

As I contemplated my goals and resolutions for this new year, I realized something important: once a year is not enough for me. One brand-new, clean-slate day per year is just not enough.

I'm not organized enough to proclaim today the ways I'll be more organized this year.

I'm not goal-oriented enough to make a long list of goals for this year.

I'm not resolute enough to number the resolutions I need to make for this year.

I contemplate the new year, and I can easily feel overwhelmed and under-qualified. The fact is, I need a brand-new, clean-slate day every day.

And then I am reminded:

This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning.

Great is Your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him."

Lamentations 3:22-24

So many times I have put my hopes in my well-laid plans, in my desire to succeed, in my heartfelt determination to improve myself. And so many times I have had my hopes dashed as I failed to live up to my own expectations.

But oh! God is the One of whom the prophet could say "Great is Your faithfulness." His steadfast love never ceases; His mercies never end.

And His mercies are new every morning. Not just on New Year's Day, but on every day.

Which is just how often I need them.