If I close my eyes in the sharp coolness of this October morning, just for a moment, I can imagine I am back on Vancouver Island. The sound of the freeway blurs into the familiar rhythm of the coast and the cold pinches my nose and cheeks into the obvious pink chill of fall on the island. Of course, I am actually standing in our apartment complex parking lot a few blocks away from the 5 Interstate in Southern California. Not exactly my amazing island birthplace, and if I allowed myself, I could get drawn into a bout of homesickness, sure to consume my day. But this surprisingly crisp fall morning reminds me that our present circumstance has its own blessings as well. As the air tugs at my ears and bites at my nose, the endearing voice of Anne of Green Gables whispers, “isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
I adore the naive and whimsical hope of dear Anne, who, fully aware of her ‘mistake-making expertise,’ assures Marilla that she learns from each mistake, confidently explaining that she never makes the same mistake twice. I’m not sure any of us could truly make that claim, (though I admire her resolve). But the sentiment reflects the heart of a Christ follower. That though we make mistakes and succumb to the flesh, by the grace of God and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, we have an increasing awareness of our sin, and a sincere desire to stop sinning and walk in obedience to Christ. Tomorrow is a new day indeed, with no mistakes in it – yet – but our Christian life is fraught with the residual effects of living in a fallen world, tainted with sin. God hates our sin, but He is gracious and patient with us and when we do sin, He is faithful to forgive anyone who asks for forgiveness and turns from it. Our walk with the Lord is not perfect, but we are being perfected. Day by day, by God’s grace we grow in the image of Christ. Indeed, His mercies are new every morning. No matter where we are, grace abounds. He walks with us and we follow Him. In BC, In California. Everywhere.
The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
~Lamentations 3:22-23
So on this lovely morning I consider some of the gifts the Lord has given us lately. The opportunity to meet and talk with a missionary family, an early morning walk with a friend, our grown up kids who ignore the distance between us and ‘visit’ us regularly online, the technology that allows us to stay in touch with loved ones, the opportunity to explore new landscapes and get some exercise, the sprouting of a second lemon seed, the joyful sound of children playing in our courtyard, and being able to get through to a real person at the DMV by phone (haha!). Whether it is the everyday simple gifts like these or the incredible gift of salvation in Christ, we give Him thanks and praise.
Faithful 