During my school years, I loved buying school supplies – especially a new notebook and filling it with fresh lined paper.  Of course, during my school years, I carried around a large notebook, books for each subject plus a few composition books once I reached middle school.  My favorite purchase was the denim notebook that everyone wrote on during the first week or two of school. I couldn’t wait for the first day of school so friends could write their names on the cover.  I recall only having a brand new one at the start of one school year.  I treasured that notebook.

The first day was a new chance to make the right impression on new teachers. The first day was an opportunity to make new friends. The first day clothing was planned for several weeks!  It always meant a new outfit.  For many years my Granny and her sister made my first day of school outfit.  I loved those outfits dearly. Then those high school years when friends began to influence my clothing choices had me begging for clothes from the new mall. I miss those lazy summer days of watching Granny & Aunt Annie sitting on the swing as they each hemmed a garment for my sisters and me. The prom dress they made me one year was beautiful. 

Back to the fresh notebook paper; which was as important to me as those new clothes.  I loved the smell of new paper. The feeling of writing with an ink pen once I reached middle school was a joy.  Taking notes in class when the teacher wouldn’t slow down was not easy.  But my favorite use of new paper was working out math problems! That doesn’t mean math was easy for me. But when you got to the end and realized you had made a mistake – you simply erased the problem and started over. 

That is exactly what Jesus did for me when I asked him to be my Lord and Savior.  HE erased my sins and made me a fresh sheet of notebook paper!  Naturally, I don’t keep that sheet of paper clean every day – as hard as I try.  So every morning I ask for his forgiveness and guidance to make it through the day ahead.  Knowing HE truly loves me as I am, but continues to work in me to create the person HE knows I can be, is the only way I can make it through the days that drag me down.  I am so thankful that HE gives me a fresh page each morning. I hope you know HE offers you a fresh page each day as well! 

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7