It’s funny how the turning of a page, the 12 gongs on a grandfather clock, the sunrise of a new day and year seem to energize and refocus a resolve to try again, do better, reach a goal.

Yesterday, I was irritatingly content to stay under the covers in the warmth of a morning, eat a cookie after lunch, and excuse the potato chips at the end of the night on the couch. But today is a different chapter.

Psalm 96 begins:

Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship God!

Brand new. Not, new to you. Not, used new. Not, new-ish.

Brand new.

This is a brand new day. There will never be another one just like it. God deserves my brand new outlook, my brand new attitude, my brand new mindset, my brand new song.

On this new day of 2021, I am grateful for a quiet morning walk in the bitter cold, me and my audible book keeping step.

I am grateful for a cardinal that greeted me as I sidestepped icy patches in the road.

I am grateful for a warm home, a fire in the fireplace, a new quilt, a heated towel after a long shower, a husband who changed the sheets and started the laundry.

I am grateful for time with our son last night, watching a movie, playing games, and driving out of town to watch the moon rise on a deserted dirt road.

I am grateful for the hope and joy a new baby brings.

I am grateful for my health, for my husband’s health, my daughters’ health, my dad’s health, my grandchildren’s health.

I am grateful for cinnamon rolls that turned out successfully and grateful for the absence of craving.

I am grateful that I am not just a project manager, not just a wife, not just a mom and Ama, not just a daughter and sister, not just a former music teacher, not just a broken bad choice out of shape introvert who can’t let go of my past – I am all these things. Take me as I am, Lord, in this condition, when I am first day hopeful and 351st day weary.

I am grateful for spiritual transformation and renewal. I am not as I was, and with the passing of time and the accumulation of knowledge and wisdom, my soul desires more. I want to be filled with God’s peace and His reassurance that I am in the palm of His hand and He will hold me tightly, no matter what this new year brings…

I am grateful for a very small circle who will love me and support me and encourage me.

At the end of this day, I will have a brand new granddaughter.

At the end of this day, I will have walked 5+ miles.

At the end of this day, I will have fed my body goodness in the form of food that strengthens and builds rather than food that contributes to slothful and unhealthy.

At the end of this day, I will have made some choices and decisions that will affect others.

At the end of this day, I will have created a new song.

At the end of this day, the day will no longer be brand new, and 2021 will be one day gone.

At the end of this day, I will be grateful for His never ending love for me as I am now, not as I hope to be on the 351st day.