A clean slate.

Good morning all you blog lovers out there. Today is a new day and I am so happy about it.

I am so grateful that the sun rises every morning with a fresh start from our Father.

This morning as I write, I have just finished up the first chapter in "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl," by Lysa TurKeurst. I am already blessed.

Maybe it is the sun that is shining ever so brightly this morning into my sunroom, or the trees blowing in the wind and the sounds and feel of it coming in through my open-screened window, or my time alone in the quiet. I am not sure. But I am feeling of a renewed spirit today as I look at all that God has done for me - and how little I acknowledge it!

In all honesty, I haven't been too excited to read this book because "I don't have time." I'm a full-time working mom with a toddler studying for another certification and I "can't fit it into my schedule."

The book accompanies a Bible Study my pastor's wife is hosting for mothers of young children and it's every other Wednesday night this fall - again, where will I find time to fit this in?

The truth is, time is limited. My time is limited. I don't have a lot of it, and what I do have, I cherish.

But I am so glad I picked up this book, signed on for the Bible Study, and will be making a valiant effort to go on the nights that Isaac is home. I need it. And I think I just discovered through the first chapter that my soul needs it.

I am only one chapter in, but it already has reminded me of what is lacking in my walk with the Father, and that is devotion.

I usually read a chapter from the Bible every morning, a Psalm per day, for example. Or right now, I am on Job...more thoughts lingered: how will I fit this book reading in with having to keep up with bible time and studying early in the morning before I go to work?

Then it hit me: replace the chapter a day with reading your book. I don't like doing this because "they say" you need devotion time in the Word every day, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

Hopefully I can keep this pattern up and still stay on track, but I'm liking the idea of using that as my time to get the reading in, so far. I don't spend as much devotion time with my Father as I should, if I'm being truthful, and I am looking forward to what this book will bring.

Back to the clean slate and fresh start: I forgot about this.

This week at work has been a little tough. I've had some encounters I wished I hadn't, thought some things I shouldn't, and done some things I've regretted. This pattern repeats every week! I am a sinner by day, failure by afternoon, and repenter by night! Each-and-every-day.

But I am so thankful that he restores me each-and-every-day.

God is so good.

It has recently occurred to me that in my "old age" (LOL) I am able to stomach things better and learn to live with others' hurtful words too. Through the years my confidence in myself and in Christ has become stronger and the need to impress others around me or try to be someone I am not has diminished.

This week, I received a couple doses of challenging situations where I had the opportunity to lash out in hate and anger, seeking apology for my wounds, or to turn the other cheek.

It is hard to turn the other cheek, I must say, when the scar from the battered cheek is deep, but I can only wonder what would have happened if I went with an impulsive nature and tried to justify the situation with rebuttle.

To this, I shout, thank you Father for healing me inside before acting on the desirous need for someone else to heal me on the outside!

So, clean slate, what are you?

In my opinion, a clean slate is the chance to every day begin anew the Life intended.

This means, putting behind the mistakes, failures, disappointments, and hurts, and moving forward in grace, forgiveness, and Truth on the path He desired for you.

I will be the first to tell you that forgiveness is fragile, but it is only a heart beat away if you let Him in. And not just forgiveness to others, but forgiveness from others.

I admit it's easier to write about a clean slate when the sun is shining and the world is at your shopping fingertips later this afternoon (woot!), but I'm being serious when I say that to each new day there is a new morning. Joy comes in the morning. And friends, each new day is yours.