Joy’s Jottings September 2017 New Beginnings

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. (Lamentations 3. 22)

“Grand-mama, I’m going into Year One in September!” My five-year old granddaughter told me this momentous news with great excitement. ‘Early Years’ is to be left behind and the real school years are to begin. That is something to be excited about, although it does remind me of how fast the years are passing!

September always makes me think of new beginnings; it was the beginning of my year for such a long time!

I have the privilege of being involved in so many special new beginnings, in services of baptisms, marriages and funerals and each one of those is about liminal moments, thresholds into new lives.  The concept of new life is made clear in each of the services.

The introduction to the Baptism service tells us that, ‘Baptism marks the beginning of new life, a journey into the light of Christ.’ In the marriage service we ask God to, ‘Pour out the abundance of your blessing upon this couple in their new life together.’ Then in the funeral service we ask God to, ‘Turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life.’

The modern fantasy idea of a portal is of a gateway through which one leaves one world and instantaneously enters another. Portals lead to worlds filled with magic, colour, light and opportunity.  Surely each of the thresholds into new life after baptism, marriage or death are such portals in reality! God’s provision for humanity is very generous, renewed each and every day, from the moment of our conception, throughout our lives and on into eternity.  

I am reminded of an old hymn, written by John Keble, Priest and Poet,1792-1866. (AMNS No 2 Common Praise No 6) 

New every morning is the love 

Our waking and uprising prove;

Through sleep and darkness safely brought,

Restored to life and power and thought.

New mercies each returning day

Hover around us while we pray;

New perils past, new sins forgiven,

New thoughts of God,

new hopes of heaven.

Love, Prayers and Blessings, Joy