I got my first personal computer in 1994.  It was a large, mechanical “block” that sat on the kitchen table of my apartment. Connecting to the internet, at that time, meant “dial-up”. 

One of my favorite things about this new gadget sitting in my home, though, was a button on the keyboard labeled “Restart”.

Being exceptionally tech-challenged, I found myself using this button, time and time again, to start over when I got stuck, needed to begin afresh on a project, or the computer was just moving way too slow for this over-achiever-OCD-Type-A girl.

To be able to press this small button and have everything stop, shut down, be erased and gone was amazing! Then, when the computer did come back on, I had a fresh start – a brand new beginning.

Restarts. We would be lost without them, wouldn’t we?  A chance to begin again – to start over.

It’s partly why I love mornings and sunrises so much. Mornings provide me with a predictable 24-hour rhythm in which I know I get a restart. Sunrises feel like a promise of fresh hope.

Yesterday is gone; today is a blank canvas; a clean slate.

Nestled a little more than halfway into the Bible is a book of sorrows aptly called Lamentations.  Penned by the prophet Jeremiah, this poetic book details the grief, anguish, and misery of the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon.

It’s a bleak and overall sad account, yet one of the most incredible and inspiring promises is found in chapter 3. “…His mercies never end.  They are new every morning…” (vs. 22 – 23 CSB)

New mercies every morning! Something Jeremiah and the children of Israel needed desperately at that time.

Something that we all need desperately every day.

I’ve lost track of how many days I’ve laid my head down on my pillow at night following a day of utter (or even partial) turmoil, stress, breakneck activities, and troubles thinking, “I am SO glad this day is over!  I’m grateful tomorrow is a new day!”

God, in His mercy, understands and graciously gives us a new beginning each day!  Whether we treat it as such or not is up to us!

In the words of 20^th century American actor Will Rogers, “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.”

Until next time, Grace and Glory!