Good morning on the first day of the New Year.  It is of course the time when people set out to dust the previous year’s resolutions and to resolve not to let them fall by the wayside so quickly.  We lean toward the concept of a “New Year/New Beginning”, “Wipe the slate clean”, and “do over” or “take a Mulligan”  as golfers like to proclaim. In reality, we have the awesome privilege of starting afresh every day, not just on January 1.  God reminds us that his mercies are new every morning and His grace is sufficient for the day.

Much like learning to ride a bicycle, most of us did not get it right the first time we put our foot on the pedal. In life, if we fall God picks us up, examines our wounds, applies his healing balm, dusts off dirt and crud the world tries to put upon us, and encourages us to get back  on and go for it again. And He is there every time to encourage us to keep trying.

I am also convinced that when we take off and do not fall, God is rejoicing over us, just like parents cheering wildly as their child rides their bikes the first fifty feet without crashing.  As you make your resolutions for this coming year, resolve to start each day with an awareness of God’s mercy and grace that is there just as certain as the sun will rise. And if we should fall, He is there to restore us fully.

Fr. Mitch