Stretching Into A New Year

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have are monthly contributor Melanie. Melanie is sharing her heart on this month's theme Seeking God. You can learn more about Melanie and her blog on the about page. 

For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 

Psalm 108:4

When my mind is still, the children in bed, the house quiet, dishes done and I fall onto the couch into His embrace.

When I’m driving alone, no voices interrupting, sunbeams gleaming warm on my face.

Those times I’m not moving and thinking at a frantic, hurried pace like a wind-up tin trinket toy.

Moments sitting by the seashore, salty wind grasping and spiraling strands of my hair, seagulls soaring, white foam kissing my toes.

Times silently observing mountains drizzled in orange sunrise, evergreens dipped in ribbons of white.

When I’m not looking for oversimplified answers, a quick Sunday School verse.

For all those times and a million more, I weep guttural sobs over His faithfulness in my life.

For all the times I’m screaming at over-hyper children in sugar overdrive from too many peanut butter balls, sprinkled cookies, and chocolate-dipped everything.

When I’m too loud and too sharp and too quick to discipline, small shoulders walking away hunched, little eyes dropped low in shame.

Moments I half-heartedly listen or completely ignore overly-exuberant children recounting stories that are special and monumental to them.

When we are on the third night of breakfast for dinner and there’s been nothing green besides M&Ms on their paper plates for days.

Times I forget to send the check, the signed form, the special outfit, the book report, or coat with my children for school.

When I slam doors, won’t talk, or turn a cute new pajama-clad shoulder to my dear man.

For all the glorious and not so glorious daily moments.  When I am nothing close to being faithful to those I love, including my God.

There’s grace.

His faithfulness and love stretches across our lives.  May we grasp how wide, long, and high it reaches (Ephesians 3:18). 

As we welcome a New Year, let’s be purposeful to ask the Father to give us fresh eyes that flutter open in delight and remembrance of His gracious hand dipping down into every second of our days.

He is forever and ever faithful.