BEGINNINGS
Today's reading: Genesis 1

"In the beginning..." Genesis 1:1 NLT

The beginning, Lord? Just what I needed to talk to you about this morning. You see 'beginnings' are very scary things to me. Why? Well, it's not the start of things that frighten me, it's the sad, awful fact that I fail at the follow-through.

In the beginning of this year I hope to attack the Bible with excitement and a desire to glean from it wisdom and knowledge. I want to make Bible study, not just Bible reading, a very important part of my daily life. But I know how 'project's like this fizzle out after I attempt them a day or two.

In the beginning of this year I hope to take better care of this temple you've wonderfully and fearfully created. I want to make wiser choices in what I take in and what energy I expend. But my track record with dieting is worst than my track record with Bible study--far worse.

In the beginning of this year I hope to make more effort to control my tongue. I want to speak peace, love, joy and truth in every conversation I'm in. I desire to nix all inappropriate responses, critical remarks and smart-aleck reactions. Right now it's pretty easy, my family's still in bed and it's just me. Tomorrow it'll be simple because I'll be at church. But Monday? Next week? The week after than when my hormones rage and the desire to speak my peace bubbles within in?

In the beginning of this year I have so many goals, but so little hope.

But You, Lord, You're great with beginnings, and endings! Won't you take me under Your wing? Make me your special project? Send an extra bit of strength my way? Cover me more thoroughly with Your grace, more evidently with Your mercy--so much so that I respond from the realization of all You've done for me.

Happy New Year, Lord...I do believe it's going to be the beginning of something special between us!