Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, New Year's can be like a fresh start! Our Mom delighted in opening up a new diary/journal which she faithfully kept until You called her home. We also delighted looking at the bright new calendars, checking photos and art work; checking days to see which day of the week anniversaries and birthdays of family and friends fall on. All too soon the neatly arranged rows of squares are filled with various appointments, or as one gal said, 'filled with the living of our days.'

The whole conversation wasn't heard but as we passed a display in a store which two young girls were admiring, one gal said, "Grandma says that the New Year is a new beginning, so you know what I'm going to try to do, Toni? I'm going to get me a new boyfriend."

The other girl, with a shocked look said, "April! What are you going to do with your old boyfriend?" to which April giggled and said, "You know that I don't have a boyfriend - I just think it would be neat to 'begin' to have one."

A neighbor lady was feeling overwhelmed with her big house and all the stuff she had. Sometime later she confided that she was so pleased and relieved to have a fresh start at the Retirement Village and that her house sold in so few months.

A young family recently moved here from out of state confided that they'd been ready for a fresh start and were pleased with hubby's new job, their new house and their new church.

A new beginning, Lord, we all need that. We read in Rev. 21:5 "And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."

Thank You, Lord, for new beginnings - begin anew in all of us.

Love, Mara