Restarts. Already?

It's the 14th day of 2016. How's it going so far? Frustrated yet? Disheartened? Anxious? Thrown off your A-game with back-up plans #1-3 incomplete?

I know... it's too early to be thinking such things. Yeah... that was my response too.  I spend my mornings in prayer and reflection as I drive. At some point, in the afternoon, I ask God what He would have me share for the next day's prayer. Without fail, 5 minutes or 5 hours, an insight reveals itself. God says, AHA! Look....there it is.

Yesterday, regarding #deaconThursday, took maybe two minutes. If, in one's everyday life, in a period of 14 days, one can recognize that there are already some things amiss and items needing to be put back on track, how much more for leaders and decision makers and those who carry out the tasks that follow; whether in the corporate marketplace or church ministry.

Even in the everyday responsibilities and the long-term impact that follows, the wheels can come off of whatever project or mission you are attempting to move forward. Sometimes, it doesn't take much either. For me, despite the advice that we shouldn't sweat the small stuff, the constant nipping of "small things" can take it's toll. Yet, one item, one decision at time, the cart can be put back on track.

Even still very close to the beginning, it is possible and perhaps even necessary... Start. Again.

On this #deaconThursday, pray for church administrators and advisers who already detoured and bothered by how 2016 is unfolding. Whether new situations are experiencing problems or consequences from 2015 are coming to fruition, pray for a strength and resolve to face circumstances head on. May truth prevail and victory ensue. As our Pastor shared in Wednesday nights prayer devo, may solutions be found to the problems we face. Pray that the focus turns from "why" to "what" is God trying to accomplish and "how" do we proceed. May the prospect having to start over already, not be dreadful, but an opportunity to remember the grace and goodness of God.

His mercies made new every morning. Regardless of where they fall in relationship to the start of anything else that was or will be new. We don't have to wait for a new week or month or year. Tomorrow is new. The next hour is new. The next minute and second. Starts Now.  God, go before us... for it all starts with You. For your glory and honor. Behold, all things are made new.

NOW!

- PNC

*author's note: don't tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor, that that pic showed up on the first row of the first page, when I typed "restart" in the image search bar. Hilarious!

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