Happy New Year

As if seeing my parents was not a huge enough gift this year...Turkey gave me snow for New Year's...and lots of it. So, I'll return the favor and share it with those of you who won't get to see any snow this winter.

Theres something refreshing about snow to start a new year and a new morning to remind you of the new life we have in Christ, and how fresh God's mercy is every morning. It's like a clean blanket of snow on a winter morning-- which I appreciated this year in new ways after a long year of learning/stretching/growing and being reminded constantly in completely new ways of how I need new mercies every day, always will, and how He's made provision for that daily. In all the changes around me over the past year up to now, I praise a God who stays the same yesterday, today, and forever, but who places us in a world that changes with seasons around us to remind us that it pleases Him to change us into His likeness. When I feel like giving up on myself at times, He doesn't... What an awesome God I serve. He is able to change me because He is unchanging. And as I see His hand of change upon my life and heart, I see His hand in the change of seasons that brought snow to me this winter and will take it away in spring. He is gently reminding me through the snow that He is more than capable of changing my heart into something that gives Him glory. The snow was a neat reminder that every day, I have the choice to see the new mercy and forgiveness He's provided for me that makes me white as snow and walk in it. Here's to snow, being reminded that I am a new creation in Him--washed white through His sacrifice in spite of my righteousness being filthy rags before Him, and to continuing to walk in new mercies today and this year.