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This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 KJV

This is the last post in my November Days of Thanks series here on New Day. I hope you’ve been inspired to reflect on why it’s important to always give thanks in all things. No matter how tough life gets, let’s aim to keep our focus on being grateful.

The post for this week is actually a repost of the very first entry here on my blog. Enjoy, and thanks for following along this month!

It’s January 1, the most popular new day of all time! What better time to refocus our minds and spirits and work toward becoming who we are meant to be!

A couple of years ago, God impressed upon me to focus on living life one day at a time. Well, duh, isn’t that how one normally lives, one day at a time? 

But this prodding led me to want to start each day as a new day. New as in yesterday is gone, there’s a chance to begin again and do better, be better…

Mostly, though, new meant an intentional embrace of the morning, and, an intentional, conscious choosing to begin the day in the Lord – letting go of the night’s dreams, yesterday’s worries and unfinished work, and pressing into a set of time unseen.

A day that is started in the Lord is one with sure hopes. An acknowledgment of God in the morning allows worship to flow throughout the rest of the day. You are prepared for the day’s work, study, play, and its challenges. One is even prepared to receive the Lord’s blessings.

The Word has much to say about new days. Two of my favorites:

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22-23‬ KJV)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33-34‬ KJV)

Each day is not just a day, it’s a new day. It’s a day the Lord has made. It’s a day with refreshed energy, renewed hope, and brand new mercies. So on this January 1, if you haven’t already, quiet your spirit, settle into God, and embrace the new. Live with intention!

How do YOU show thanks for each new day?

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16 KJV

This is a repost of an entry from January 2015 here on New Day:

They are 11, five, and three, and are the heart and soul and joy of our family. They are smart and wise in their own merits, and however they understand love, they give it fully and unconditionally.

On my husband’s side are two others, one little girl who runs the household, and one BIG one, in college, learning about life and the tough decisions it often brings. Plus, well, being bossed by his little sister.

These nieces and nephews are the joys of our lives. My husband and I don’t have children of our own, and we are more than blessed to have these young people to play with. They are my dream readers of this blog. Some day, I’d like for them to read these words and realize their purpose. I’d like for them to know how much life and gift they have within themselves, and the Source from which they came. I want them to say, Hey, Aunt Melchee encouraged us to seek faith, to grow in spirit, to be grateful for each new day.

There’s nothing like experiencing life with children. They truly know how to live in the moment. Above all, I hope they never lose that.

The niece I mentioned above, the one in charge of her mother and father and big brother? Watch out. Try to mess up her living in the moment and she’ll get after you with a flyswatter…

Let’s keep children in our prayers. They need our guidance, support, and love.

…and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

In this post for the November Days of Thanks series, I’m highlighting one of my greatest joys: a true friend. There’s nothing like the love, support and spirit of a friend who’s genuinely so, and I’m grateful for all I have.

Earlier this year, I wrote a post on honoring girlfriends, and here today, I’m reposting that entry as I feel it captures the sentiment. Enjoy.

Girlfriends in May

May is a season of celebrations – graduations, holidays, Mother’s Day, and weddings. It continues our welcome to spring, bringing together families and neighbors at cookouts and special gatherings.

I especially have appreciated time together with my sister friends – catching up, sharing the latest gossip, and giving advice for life’s challenges. It is in that spirit that I dedicate May here on the New Day blog to the theme Girlfriends in May, in honor of the blessing and gift of sisterhood.

The Word says, Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9-10‬ KJV) I think all of my sisters reading this can agree: there’s nothing like a girlfriend to make life a little better. The support, the trust, the love found in a true friend can’t be matched. The tears you cry, the pain you suffer through, even the happiest times – when you can pick up the phone and make that call, all is well with the world.

We need to do more of that: support, love, trust. We need to honor who we are by honoring those whom God has placed in our lives and across our paths. His plan for sisters in our lives is purposeful. Thank Him for this gift.

In this season of beauty and renewal, celebrate the sister girls in your life! Let them know you appreciate their presence in your life. Send a card or a note, go shopping, take a fun night out – do something! Make it purposeful. Life is too short… Well, you know the rest.

I admire a particular friendship, a true sisterhood, my mom shares with two great women of faith. They worked together for over 35 years until their retirements. They bowled together, celebrated birthdays and holidays, laughed together, called, visited. Their friendship is still strong today, and they call each other sister. My mom recognized them at her retirement party last year, and they shared the sweetest sentiments. I almost cried. Well, I think I teared. That meant so much to me, and I was so glad for my mom. Love them.

Happy May, sisters! Enjoy and celebrate and bless your girlfriends!

What has been the greatest blessing of your truest friends?