Etch-A-Sketch

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
(Acts 3:19, NIV)

Years ago our son Chancey, who was seven year’s old at the time, asked “What’s so special about a New Year anyway?” “Well,” I answered, “a New Year provides us an opportunity to stop and think about the past year and see if there are areas in our life we need to start over.”

He had received an Etch-A-Sketch pad for Christmas that year. I picked it up and turned the knobs and made some squiggly lines. “Let’s pretend this pad is the old year and each of the marks on this pad are things I have done. Some of the things I have done made me happy and made other people happy and I am glad I did them. But there are some other marks that I wish hadn’t happened. Maybe I said something without meaning to that hurt somebody’s feelings, and that mark is on the pad. Maybe I missed out on an opportunity to do something for somebody who needed my help. That mark is on the pad too. I am glad for some of the marks on the pad, but there are some marks I want to take off the pad very much. The New Year gives me a chance to wipe the pad clean and to start over. Maybe I didn’t do everything I meant to do last year, but this is a New Year and I can do better. I have a new chance.”

Of course, every day is a New Year’s Day when you believe in Jesus. Jesus says that whenever we sin and do something that we are not proud of, we can pray for His forgiveness and God will wipe the pad clean immediately. We don’t have to wait 364 days for the next New Years’ to start over. That’s one of the best things about being a Christian. When we sin and desire to do better, Jesus wipes the pad clean and we can start again – right now. Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year, every day in 2014!

Gracious God, thank your for your loving forgiveness that wipes away my sin. May my life this year become a more holy sketch of  you. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

In His Word,
Reverend Dee Dee