At Home with Susan
Monthly Column by Susan Sikes

The great thing about a new year is that it is a new beginning or a fresh slate. I think that is why so many people make resolutions; beginnings are such a great place to make changes. Most of you already know the problem with resolutions –- they are easily broken and leave you feeling guilty. As you examine the areas in your life this New Year that may need a few changes, look at them as new beginnings instead of resolutions.

When we look at these areas, the obvious come to mind: healthy meals, a clean house, being more organized, staying fit, saving money, or spending more time with our families. All of these are worthwhile areas to work on. However, leave some room to be flexible. We can apply a very familiar Bible verse to this part of our lives:

"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" (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Keep in mind that we will have different struggles and possibly even feel like we fail in some areas each day. If we allow these trials and distractions to make us feel guilty when we don’t do something, they can paralyze us into no change at all. Do your best, but take each day as an individual opportunity. When that day is over, a new one will begin -– the next day will be another chance for success.

The Lord has shown us several examples to demonstrate this principle. Take the story of Noah; he had an ultimate new beginning! There was also Joshua as he led the Israelites into the Promised Land. They not only had a new land to live in, the Lord even changed their food from manna to the natural food of the land (Joshua 5:12). The best example however is the picture of our salvation. I love the fact that all of our past is wiped out. The Bible says we even become a new creation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17)

We should always look for areas in our lives that can be improved upon. There will always be something! As long as we are doing our best, we should look at them as a fresh start and not as a guilt-ridden oath. Let the words of this classic hymn be a reminder of His grace and mercy each day.

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.

Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and spring-time and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

(Words & Music © 1923, renewal 1951 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reproduction of this hymn must be obtained directly from Hope Publishing Co. by clicking here at www.hopepublishing.com or by phoning 1-800-323-1049.)

© 2008 by Susan Sikes