New Every Morning

    As Thanksgiving day approached, I thought about all the things I am thankful for. My life hasn't been all peaches and cream, but as I look in the rearview mirror at the past seventy-five years I have been abundantly blessed. Even the hard times came with blessings concealed in them. Then I held the mirror in front of me and looked at myself. I am not worthy of all I have received. The only way to account for it is the mercy of God.

   "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23).

   NEW every morning. I am far from perfect and mess up too often. But every morning comes with new mercy from God and a chance to try again. His mercies are NEW every morning, not used, leftover, or past the expiration date. His mercy is brand new every morning.

   A NEW SHEET,

He came to my desk with a quivering lip, 

the lesson was done.

“Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher?

I’ve spoiled this one.”

I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted

and gave him a new one all unspotted.

And into his tired heart I cried,

“Do better now, my child.”

A NEW DAY,

I went to the throne with a trembling heart;

the day was done.

“Have you a new day for me, dear Master?

I’ve spoiled this one.”

He took my day, all soiled and blotted

and gave me a new one all unspotted.

And into my tired heart he cried,

“Do better now, my child.”

Photo by Federico Respini on Unsplash