A NEW START

When I was a school boy, I enjoyed the start of a new term, meeting friends who I hadn’t seen since we broke up for the holidays. Catching up on things, we had done the mischief we had got up to.

There were other things as well, such as new teachers taking our class and new classrooms to move to; that first morning was always busy.

I remember quite clearly thinking this term, I’m going to try harder, take more interest in the lessons. New exercise books were always welcome. This was really the opportunity to show my determination to do better. But it never quite worked out like that, and my report book never showed that elusive A grade; the best I ever did was to get a B+ in something like history.

It’s always great to make a new start, whether it be a year, a school term, perhaps a different job or just a new day. A fresh start, wouldn’t we all like that?

The mistakes I make daily, things I do, say, think, or the way I act, as soon as they are done, I regret, but they are done. There are some things we can put right and ask forgiveness for, but it still leaves a blot on the day's page. Much like my exercise book at the beginning of a new term, I might get the first page filled without a mistake. But then they would start, and try as I might to rub them out, there was always the telltale sign of where I had tried to make it go away.

We would sing a song years ago, it went like this 

God has blotted them out

God has blotted them out.

I’ll turn to Isiah and see:

Chapter forty-four

Twenty-two and three:

He’s blotted them out

And now I can shout, 

That means me.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and blot them out completely, leaving no unsightly mark.

God gives the chance to start afresh every day.
But the choice is ours to make.

WIDE AS THE OCEAN.

 As wide as the ocean

Vast as the ocean

We’ve been away for a few days to Hayling Island, and I was able to get out for a walk along the shore most mornings. One day, as I walked along the seashore, I was struck by the vastness of it. And how small and insignificant I was. It put things into perspective. We rush around, busy in our little world, caught up in the hurly-burly of everyday life, and we can get ideas of just how important we are.

Nature and our environment have a way of changing that and setting our feet firmly on the ground, giving us a reality check. Many of those reading this will know that, as I walk or visit somewhere new, I enjoy taking photographs. When I get home, I download them to my computer and then can revisit the places I have been. This enables me to see clearly (I hope) the particular moment I captured them.

The pictures of the sea this week reminded me of another childhood chorus, which my Blog takes its title from. 

Wide wide as the ocean

High as the heavens above

Deep, deep as the deepest sea

Is my Saviour's love,

I though so unworthy

Still am a child of His care,

For His word teaches me

That His love reaches me

Everywhere.

I sang this chorus complete with the actions and in a simple way it tells of the greatness of God's love. A love we can all experience if we put our trust in Him.

 No matter who we are, or where we are.