So, What’s New?

This is the first “Big Little People” column for the New Year and it feels different – exciting, to be exact – to write 2016 on my keyboard from this day forward.  Not everything is new, however. Many things are the still the same.

Look at yourself in a mirror and you find the same you. Look inside your school bag, and the same books and notebooks are in there – not until the beginning of another school year in June. Look at the people you see every day (dad, mom, lolo, lola, teachers, classmates) and they’re the same as they were last year.

Ah, but that’s what I want to write about today.

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You’ve probably heard or read about a quote that goes something like this, “Live today as if it were your LAST day.”

This means a lot of good things such as:

Do everything important that is worth doing now, because tomorrow you might not be here to do them.

Make this day as productive and as good as you could make it, because tomorrow may never come.

Forget the past and the future, just concentrate on doing great today.

The Bible has this to say about that, as well: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

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As we begin 2016, I’d like to turn that quote around and say, “Live today as if it were your FIRST day!”

LAST and FIRST days are worlds apart.

Try to remember your FIRSTS...

First time to be awarded a star in school.

First time to receive the gift you’ve been dreaming about.

First time to experience riding a ferris wheel or any carnival ride.

First time to visit a zoo or a park.

First time to ride in an airplane or boat.

First time to _________, and to ________ , and to _________(please fill in the blank.)

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Those FIRSTS are moments of discovery, awe, wonder, and excitement!

Now, let’s take that further.

When you wake up tomorrow morning, try to imagine seeing your room for the first time, imagine seeing your parents for the first time, imagine seeing breakfast food for the first time, imagine seeing all the things you own and love around you for the first time. Imagine, imagine, imagine...

Your heart would be so full of gratitude and joy! You’d be so thankful and happy that the Lord blessed you with so much.

Then look at yourself in a mirror – what do you see for the very first time? A beautiful, breathing creation of a generous God.

You probably would even be reciting this Bible verse aloud: “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous – how well I know it.” Psalm 139:14 (NLT)

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Happy New Year! Happy first month! Happy new day!

Email me at: [email protected] or send me a message through my website: http://leavesofgrace.blogspot.com.