"Greeting a New Day"

 

“Greeting a New Day”

 

In 1960 cartoonist Bil Keane created the comic series “Family Circus”. The family involved consists of the mom and dad, four kids and two dogs with the occasional inclusion of Grandma. I especially remember a two panel strip in which five-year-old Dolly was looking out the window on a bright sunny morning and exclaiming happily, “Good Morning, Lord!” and the second of her dad sitting bleary-eyed on his bed saying groggily, “Good Lord, Morning!” I’ve greeted new days in these and some other ways in between—maybe you have too.

How we start a day sometimes depends on what’s on our calendar. If we’re planning a round of golf, lunch with a friend or some other enjoyable event we’ll likely do so with enthusiasm as Dolly did. On the other hand, if we're scheduled for a colonoscopy or IRS audit we’d probably be more like her dad. But we’d do well to keep God’s view in mind: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24).

Each new day is a gift from God (“My times are in your hands….”—Psalm 31:15) as is our salvation (“…It is by grace you have been saved, through faith…it is the gift of God….”—Ephesians 2:8); the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives (“Repent…so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”—Acts 2:38) and everything else that’s worthwhile (“…God… richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”—1 Timothy 6:17). Do we (Do I) take the time to thank Him for these daily blessings?

The late entertainer Jimmy Durante often sang this number at his appearances:

“You gotta start off each day with a song. Now even when things go wrong

You’ll feel better, you’ll even look better, I’m here to tell you that you’ll be a go-getter.”

How do I greet each day God allows me to live? If I follow Jesus’ example it’s with prayer (“Very early in the morning…Jesus got up…went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”—Mark 1:35). But I’d also do well to include thanksgiving (“…Give thanks in all circumstances….”—1 Thessalonians 5:18), Scripture reading (“[Scripture] is to be with [us]…to read it all the days of [our] life….”—Deuteronomy 17:19) and meditation (“…Meditate on [Scripture] day and night….”—Joshua 1:8). And just now God’s convicted me to “Start off each day with a song” (“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord….”—Ephesians 5:19). This will set the tone no matter what I face in the ensuing hours. Will you join me?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan