Jeremy L. Berg

Some will still protest, saying: “I tasted the morning coffee only to have it turn bitter in my mouth!  I jumped up at the first breakfast call only to find stale cereal and sour milk waiting on the table!  The sweet song of the morning bird was quickly drowned out by the loud ruckus of life’s screaming concert.”  

To all who have shared a similar frustration, crawling back into bed is an appealing option.  Yet, there is good news for these tired and weary souls.  The cycle of life affords us this very luxury.  The sun eventually sets on even the gloomiest of days and it always rises on the coattails of the darkest night.  

Many of us struggle with “today’s regrets.”  Repeated failures.  Blown chances.  Missed opportunities.   Regretful conversations.  Sad partings.  Poor decisions.  Bad luck.  You fill in the blank.  Whatever it may be, there are few gifts in life more valuable than a fresh start.  We all need an occasional second chance at life…and third and forth and fifth.    

The good news is that we have this gift, and it is renewable every twenty-four hours!  Every morning is a new beginning.  Yesterday’s slate has been wiped clean and today’s white canvass is awaiting our paintbrush.  Things look strangely different.  Yesterday’s storm clouds have been replaced with today’s sunshine.  Today’s a new day!

The message of the Gospel is the same.  Though today may be ridden with pain and sorrow, and the night dark and long, we have God’s promise that “the joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).  Whatever sins held us captive yesterday have been thrown into sea (Micah 7:19).   “His mercies are new every morning” (Lam 3:23).  Yesterday’s regrets are eclipsed by today’s new opportunities.  So, with the Psalmist, we confidently sing: “Let the morning bring me a reminder of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  I lift my prayers to you; show me the way I should go” (Psa 90:14).