A fresh start. A new beginning. Yes, we all need them. And we don’t need to wait until January 1 to discover them. Today is our fresh-start day!
On my 6:45 walk with Maisie this morning, I was captivated by the gorgeous sunrise nudging from the eastern horizon, AND AT THE SAME TIME, the bright full moon edging below the top of our mountains to the west. Wowzer! I found myself humming and softly singing, “Sunrise, moonset, swiftly flow the days. . . .” (Okay, so I’ll never be asked to perform in Fiddler on the Roof, but it’s still fun to create my own words to classic melodies.)
A sunrise and moonset at the same time? I rarely catch seeing these two astronomical wonders greeting me from opposite sides of the planet. As I strolled in my local park, with Maisie sniffing out her next potty break spot, I found myself marveling at the sunrise on my left and then wowed by the fading moon on my right.
Accepting Morning’s Offer
As I gazed and hummed my “Sunrise, Moonset,” I sensed reassuring peace that all was still right with our world. In spite of cruddy news blaring at us every day, there is something to be said about greeting the morning and accepting its offer of a fresh start and a new beginning.
Maisie and I continued our circle of the park while this verse from Lamentations 3:22-23 came to mind, “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.” Instantly, my thoughts switched from my moonset melody to the beloved hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”:
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in testifying to God’s great faithfulness, mercy and love. That’s kind of mind-blowing when you think about it. All of nature knows that God is and will be faithful, merciful, and loving even if we humans don’t always comprehend this.
The Beginning Is Always Today
Lamentations remind us that God’s never-failing compassions and a fresh start are “new every morning.” Every morning whether or not we sense potential in the day or we see the sun rise and the moon set at the same time.
I like what English novelist Mary Shelley once said, “The beginning is always today.” Need a fresh start? A new beginning? Look up at the skies. Today is your day. And tomorrow will be too.
“Sunrise, moonset, swiftly flow the days . . . .” Now you can’t get the Fiddler on the Roof classic out of your head either. Go with it. It may be the kickoff theme song to your fresh start.
Thanks Beth! Positive reminder of Gods faithfulness and new mercies daily.
Yes, Char, I love that His mercies and faithfulness are new every morning. This morning, the moonset was even more spectacular! 🙂
I started singing the same song and words that morning! The sunrise and moon set were spectacular and showed the glory of the Lord!
I love it, Enne! I never cease to be amazed at God’s gorgeous creativity.
Love this! It’s so refreshing to remember that we can start every day fresh and that God starts our day fresh as well. Sounds like a beautiful and encouraging walk you had! You’re always leaving a tidbit of sunshine on those who read your blog! Thanks for your devotion to your readers. Thank you so much!!
Thank you, Daria, for your kind words. I truly appreciate your encouragement! It is refreshing to know that we can start each day fresh and even “click” refresh with God throughout each day.
I look forward to Beth’s e-mails. Always uplifting and encouraging. I have printed them all and making a note book of her e-mails.
Many Blessings and Prayers to you Beth
Nancy, thank you, thank you! I LOVE that you find encouragement from the blogs. What a clever idea to print them out and keep then in a notebook. You’re the best!
Wow!! God used you to speak to me right when I needed to hear these words. Thank you Beth!!
Oh, Shelly, I am so glad God used the right timing of the blog to encourage you. I appreciate you and love hearing your thoughts on the posts.
I have loved every one of your posts since you began this blog. Thank you so much for your thoughtful writing!
Joann, what a wonderful encouragement. Thank you for making my day! I am honored that you’ve been a faithful reader and friend through the years.