A little over two years ago, I began a new job and moved into a new apartment in a new location. “New” was clearly the key word. One of my favorite “new” purchases after moving was a 14-inch square gray-and-black-framed chalkboard that hangs on the wall in my bathroom. I have never written on it. Not once. It’s a clean slate. Literally.

Two of my favorite verses in the Bible are found in Lamentations 3:22 and 23 (NLT): “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” So there is something about the visual reminder of that “clean slate” every day that reminds me that God gives me brand new mercies each morning! How amazing is THAT? Actually, since that is a totally rhetorical question, I’m going to write it again, and end it properly: How amazing is THAT!!!

One week ago today, my life went pear-shaped (i.e. the bottom fell out), and I find I will once again begin a new job, in a new apartment, in a new location. Change. But a change appointed by my unchanging God.A few moments ago I walked from one side of my apartment to the other and dropped off some freshly-folded towels in the bathroom. As I turned to leave, I glanced up at the never-touched-by-chalk chalkboard on the wall. I stopped to wipe away tears of joy as I thanked Him that I’m facing each new day, each change, with fresh mercy!

And that is precisely why, when I move to a new apartment to start a new job in a new location, I will once again hang my clean slate smack-dab in the center of my bathroom wall. After all, not everything needs to change!

Brenda