All Things New

I'm reading a story about a man who was in a terrible car accident and as he crawled out of the wreckage he was suddenly filled with unexpected joy and gratitude at being alive, and the feeling changed him forever.  He emptied himself of his selfish negative habits that had made his life lack-luster and dull, and  miserable. He dumped toxic relationships that supported his misery-- and he entered into a relationship with God  with so much enthusiasm that things around him changed.  Everything in his life changed! I think of Jesus' words, "I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5). 

This man's story touches me. I don't know about you, but All Things New is the attitude with which I want to live, too. It's how I want to live tomorrow, next week, next year, the works.  New and beautiful. Pulsing with life and energy, with enthusiasm and wonder. An interviewer once ended a long book interview with me with, "So Marie, what would you say is your secret to a truly happy life?"  I could have given several responses about faith, about trusting God, about willingness to suffer (a whole other subject) -- but I blurted out, "I live in a constant state of wonder."
He went silent.
 "I've  learned," I said as honestly as possible, " to embrace the art of amazement in a world filled with the wonder of God in all things,"

And it's true. I hope we don't need a tragedy to jerk us awake to the joy of life when everything around us can fill us with wonder. (This morning I had a little party with my washing machine, dancing to its galumping sounds--)  I love 2Corinthians 5:17. Here it is in the Living Translation: "When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!"

So that's you and me, every day, every day. All Things New in everything around us because we see with new eyes, hear with new ears, think with new minds, and love with new hearts. And we KEEP them new.
Check out my website for "A Word for This Season."  http://www.mariechapian.com/
Love and amazed, Marie