It occurred to me this morning, as I walked early in the quiet, before the rush and rhythm of the day kick in, that this is perhaps my favorite time of day. Why? I think maybe it’s because nothing bad has happened yet – nothing painful, paralyzing, prohibiting. In that hush right before the sun comes up, the day is new, unspoiled and full of possibilities, full of unspoken promise. As I walk, I expect something wonderful and I wait to see what God will do with the day He has graciously given me.

And I am not disappointed! His majesty is revealed in the sunrise and His closeness in the bird songs that usher in the new day. Because “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23) I feel the joy of a clean slate set before me. It’s like, well I confess -I can remember back in the day when teachers used chalkboards and by the end of the day those chalkboards would be filled with all kinds of words and work from the day’s lessons, mistakes and all. Lots of erasers and do overs and write overs were evident on the board. Even though erased, traces of the mistakes that had been corrected remained on the board and could still be seen. But then someone would stay after school and clean the board with a wet cloth, not just an eraser. So in the morning, the board would greet us, empty and clean, ready for us to fill it with math problems and spelling words – mistakes and all. But the next day we would again have a clean slate upon which to write.

Today, as I am thanking my Heavenly Father for yet another clean slate upon which I have the privilege to write, I also ask His help, that I might write on it well today. Not perfectly, that is not possible. But this I do pray,

“May the words of my mouth (and my pen) and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

sincerely, Grace Day