One day I was watching the Ellen show. She was interviewing a little girl named Emma, who was about three years old, and an extremely talented gymnast. Ellen asked her, “Do you ever get scared of falling?” Emma answered with her sweet and precious voice and without any hesitation, “NO! I don’t, because I get right back up.” Perfect answer! It was unbelievable to me that she could be so young and know so much.

When we stumble and fall in life, do we stay there and marinate ourselves in our disappointment, or do we get up and dust ourselves off and start over as Emma did, and move forward.

Children are so pure at heart. You have probably noticed that whenever children like something, they say, “Do it again”. Whether it’s a game, a place to go, etc. They don’t mind repeating something a hundred times. It’s the same with God. He is pure and holy. When He sees us fall, He says, “Get up and do it again”. The great thing about walking with God everyday in this life is that the door of opportunity is always open to start fresh. Over and over, He gives us a new day, a new dawn, and a new life. We witnessed the work of His loving hands all around us and saw many of His miracles last year. Let’s start the new year by taking a moment to thank Him for all He has done for us and to ask for forgiveness where we have failed.

“For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”(Psalm 25:11)

If we are obedient to His calling, and dedicate our lives to serve Him by serving others, we will see His unfailing love navigating our lives. Remember no matter what this year bring us, He will not allow any circumstances to overwhelm us, so long as we look to Him humbly accept the gifts with which we’re blessed. After all, nothing will surprise Him and we can do nothing without His ALMIGHTY POWER. Let us start this year with hearts filled with love, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, and with NO judgement. Let’s stop listening to the lies. Instead, let’s embrace His love as He covers us with the robe of His righteousness. Let us step into life that He intends for us, trusting and thanking Him for the air we breathe, food to nourish our bodies, and shelter to rest.

In Isaiah 61:10 we are told:
“I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.”

Last but not least, embrace 2017 with open minds and calm hearts to make sure the things we are chasing this year are God’s plan for our lives.