Then There Were Five…

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…

(Blogging101 Post: My Dream Reader)

Who I Am and Why I’m Here

When I was in kindergarten, during paint time, I would draw the ABCs instead of a nice flower or tree my classmates drew. In the summer months at my grandmother’s house, I would often find a recipe in a magazine, copy it, and give it to my granny as a letter. (She saved a few of those letters, my favorite of which is in the first photo below. As you can see, I had an ulterior motive.) Lastly, through my grade school years, English was my favorite subject.

I’m thankful for the gift of being able to enjoy words and books and writing as an adult. I’ve self-published, but honestly never thought about blogging until late last year. I’m glad to join this forum with the hopes of sharing faith and inspiration.

My name is Melchee Johnson, and I’m a lover of words. My fortune cookie fortune from December 22, opened 10 days before the launch of my New Day blog, says so.

(Blogging101 Post: Introduction)

image

image

Welcome to New Day!

for blog Jan 1

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 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!

Power words and connections: #NewDay, Intentional, Embrace