Isn’t true that some days are just better than others? We’ve all gotten up on the wrong side of the bed feeling tired, cranky, and so-so about ourselves and our lives. Some weeks I wonder if I will ever get up on the right side of the bed again.
Today was that magical day. I found the right side of the bed. Not sure what changed or how I got there. It certainly wasn’t due to my discipline or good thinking. And I still stayed up too late considering I need to roll out of bed in the latter-half of the five o’clock hour. But today, as I ventured out on my usual 3.5 mile walk/shuffle (I wouldn’t offend joggers by describing my attempts as such–shuffling is more fitting), I felt noticeably perky in my spirit (my body is still mad at me for arising before the sun). The shift in outlook was appreciated, but it came as such a surprise, I spent the good portion of my jaunt considering why I felt so hopeful.
Strange, you might think, for me to question positive vibes, as if these needed permission to set up camp within me. I was not trying to “undo” the perkiness, I was just curious as to the cause of this shift. Maybe I could bottle it and pull it back out for a hefty dose the next time I find the ugly side of the bed.
I didn’t discover the “why” in regard to the shift, but the “how” is easy to identify. It is God’s mercy. Not sure how He did it, or why, but today I am just pleased to be His and grateful that there is a fresh batch of mercy available to me and to all who believe in the Lord Jesus. I love it that the mercies are new; it’s not just the reheated leftovers from yesterday. Here’s a lovely truth from the Word on that:
“It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” —Lamentations 3:22–24, Amplified Bible
All this reminds me of my two favorite t-shirts from pieces of a girl (which is actually a jewelry site, but they have some terrific t-shirts!). Each has a catchy phrase emblazoned across the back. One says: she wasn’t afraid to travel down an open road with nothin but horizon to keep her company . . . and the other says: she finally realized that every moment was another chance to begin again . . .
That second phrase sums it up. Today is a new moment, another chance to begin again, all because of the mercies of God found in Jesus. Amen to that!
