All Things New, Again - Encouragement Café - January 8, 2016

All Things New, Again

Café Menu for Friday, January 8, 2016

Today’s Special is: Starting Over

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Dawn Mast

Main Ingredient:

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"  Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Revelation 21:5 NIV

Entrée:

When we bought our van it smelled new.  Now, almost 10 years and 178,000 miles later, I'd call it history scented.  Long road trips to the beach and cross country, many soccer games hauling sweaty players, moments of carsickness (including the 100 pound dog!), and many moments at the drive-thru when we agreed to fries with our order.

Our babies used to smell new too.  When they were handed to us just moments after being declared "a boy!" or "a girl!" they snuggled into me and I sniffed their tiny heads.  Still wet and wondering where they had landed, I took in the new smell that only God can make.

Recreating new isn't easy.  Sometimes it's really impossible.  Even on those home improvement shows they sometimes blend the historical old with the brand new.

But New Year's is different.  We get an untouched 365 (or 366) days where no one but the Lord has been.  We get a "do over".  A chance to have a clean slate and to start fresh.  It feels like a spring cleaning in the midst of winter, this New Year.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 NIV

Just this verse gives us hope of starting over and we don't need a calendar to do it.

Take Out:

Every day can be our new year because we have Jesus and He makes us clean.  He freshens our spirits and scours our hearts so we can start over.  We will never be perfect, holy and flawless like Him, but that's not the goal.  

Knowing we can come to Him, trust Him and give Him our hardest, messiest selves is part of the glue that will encourage our hearts to continue to trust Him. He will keep making us new.

Dessert:

Father God, You are the only One who makes all things new.  Hearts.  People.  Years.  It's all up to You.  I need newness in my life.  I need to know that tomorrow is another day with no mistakes and that You are already there.  Thank You for being there and for knowing that we all need a new beginning.  We praise You Father!  Amen!

© 2016 by Dawn Mast. All rights reserved.

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