new every morning

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'"  Lamentations 3:22-24

Today I'm starting a new job but it feels bigger than just a first day...it feels like an entirely new beginning.  Maybe it is because I got to take a month off to travel and reflect.  Maybe it is because I'm completely changing practice areas.  Maybe it has more to do with the fact that fall always feels like the time for fresh starts.

It might also have to do with the fact that today I have been apart from the person I thought was "the one" for the same amount of time as we were together.

Altogether, it feels like a tipping point...a reboot, if you will.

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I'm notorious for my "new beginnings".  I love starting a new program or setting new goals or making elaborate schedules or radical life makeovers.  I plan and plot and usually write out extensive to do lists and step by step processes.

My struggle is always in the application...putting the plan into action.  Because while I'm great with lists and strategies...I'm not so great with the follow through.  Every new month and every new Monday brings a new opportunity to make some huge life change - I strategize, schedule, set my alarm and usually...nothing changes.  I hit snooze, make excuses for running out of steam and life change gets put off for the next Monday, the next month.

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But the reality is I don't have to wait for a new job or a new relationship or a new season or even a new Monday.  Because God, in His infinite kindness, gives me a fresh dose of His grace and mercy daily.  He knows before I do how much I'm going to need it.  He knows I can't handle even a day in my own strength.  He knows me.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:33-34

So today, I didn't get up with my first (or second...or third...) alarm.  I didn't run or do my pushups - they will be postponed until this evening.  But I did seek Him.  Because I want to walk through this day - through every day - with Him.  I want this new start to be in obedience.  I believe He put me in this place, in this season, and I don't want to miss a single thing He has for me.  I want Him to be my portion.  I want to seek His righteousness.

And I know that regardless of my many failures or falterings, He will be enough for me today.

Because He loves me.

And that is more than enough.

"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me." Proverbs 8:17

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11