Out With the Old…
It seems that everyone was ready for 2016 to be over. I have seen so many posts on Facebook about it. It seems that 2016 was filled with a lot of heartache for so many. We have seen so many famous people pass away. Personally, I have lost several friends in 2016 along with tragedy striking our extended family. So I, too, had the same thought that I could not wait for 2016 to be over. It just seems like it was a bad year.
…In With the New Beginning
I do get it. I know that a new year represents a new beginning. When you have had a bad year, you want it to be over. I remember when my grandfather passed away seven years ago. He had been on hospice for a year. He passed away on December 29. I scheduled his funeral for the 31st because I felt like it would all be over at the end of the year and I could start the new year fresh. I have since rethought that idea.
We should be looking at it differently. Just because the calendar changed, it does not change what has happened. Why do we wait for a new year to get a “fresh start”? We get a “fresh start” every day when we wake up. God gives us a chance to right our wrongs. He gives a chance to make a difference, and he gives us a chance to do something good. He gives us a chance to share His love. We get this chance every day!
This will sound strange; but we should give thanks for all these “bad things” that we have been through. God tells us to give thanks in all things (Ephesians 5:20). That doesn’t mean to only give thanks during the good times. These “bad times” are what make us stronger. They are what make us the people we are. Other people see how we react to these difficulties in our lives.
Let’s start living our lives with a “fresh start” every day!
Let’s Create a Great Day! Just like the name of this blog site says!
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Love this, Toni! God gives us new chances daily and He never lets the bad stuff go to waiste!
Thank you. Sometimes it’s so easy to dwell on the bad and not see the blessings in it.
I embrace the notion that we should start each day a new. Far better for my state of mind, too, than waiting for a new year to roll around.
And, while I saw many friends wanting 2016 to just go away, I was one who found plenty of good within the year.
Yes, I pray that we can all see things from a better perspective.
Hi Toni,
Yes, as Christians it seems we should see the potential to start new at any time; not just when there’s a new year. Through Christ old things can pass away and repentance can bring with it a changed life.
Exactly!
Yes. I agree here. Plus, in our giving thanks He will use what the enemy intended for to harm to bring something good because He is the redeemer of all things. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Yes, we need to remember that God is in control. My prayer for this year is to have a positive impact on those that I encounter.
This post reminds me a little bit of “Anne of Green Gables” that, “Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it.”
One thing I have found helpful is to write down something (however small) of which I am thankful for.
What a great idea to write down something everyday!
each day his mercies are new, I am so thankful for that
Amen.
well, considering that 2016 was a bit challenging, I could definitely use a new beginning in 2017!
You can have a new beginning every day.
I am SO thankful for a NEW year!
A “fresh start”
It’s good to know each day is a fresh start, especially since most everyone has already messed up their New Year’s resolutions!
Yes. I didn’t even make one. But, even if we messed up our resolution, we can start fresh the next day.