New Mercies & Coffee

I so should have titled my blog that "New Mercies & Coffee". I just love all that entitles. Every morning is new and fresh, like that cup of wonderfully smelling coffee. New Mercies... waiting on me every morning, usually like my coffee that is so lovingly made and brought to me by my love. My coffee sits by my bed, waiting there until I take that first sip and aaahhhhhh. So many times I sit here and read God's Word, sip my coffee, check in on my friends and soak in those New Mercies. BUT... so many times... I don't. It's so easy to carry yesterday with me, to dwell on the mess ups, the hurts, the "should haves" AND should NOT haves. Today, I woke up with an overwhelming sigh of "AAAAHHHHHH fresh, new start!" 2010 is gone. 2011 is HERE. It's exciting to think of this fresh new slate, sitting here waiting to be written on. I want God to write this year, I want Him to even doodle, draw all sorts of things.... then at the end of the year, I want to sit back and see another portion of the beautiful picture He is creating. I've been blessed with 35 pieces of this picture, they are all beginning to fit together and I'm beginning to see some of the beautiful ways God "creates". I see some places were I grabbed the pencil and thought I could draw better. He so lovingly took it when I gave in back in humility. He is taking my terrible preschool scribble and turning it in to something HE will be oh so proud of!
Found a book this morning that I had forgotten about. This little poem was a great way to start out the new year.

Steppingstones
Think not that life has been unfair and given you too much to bear...
For God has chosen you because with all your weaknesses and flaws
He feel that you are worthy of the greatness of His wondrous love.
Welcome every stumbling block and every thorn and jagged rock.
For each one is a steppingstone to a fuller life that we've ever known,
and in the radiance of God's smiles we learn to soar above life's trials.
And as we grow in strength and grace the clearer we can see God's face.

Happy New Year!