Every Day is a Gift From God

​For years, actually decades, I searched for it – the poem that my Dad often used at the end of a New Year’s sermon. I shouted Alleluia when I finally found it. Reading it brought joy to my now-old-soul:

A New Leaf

He came to my desk with a quivering lip –
The lesson was done –
“Dear teacher, I want a new leaf,” he said,
“I have spoiled this one.”
In place of the leaf so stained and blotted,
I gave him a new one all unspotted,
And into his sad eyes smiled –
“Do better now, my child.”

I went to the throne with a quivering soul –
The old year was done –
“Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me?
I have spoiled this one.”
He took the old leaf stained and blotted,
And gave me a new one all unspotted,
And into my sad heart smiled –
“Do better now, my child.”

-Anonymous

I love it still, but decades wiser recognize that our Heavenly Father’s gift of a new leaf is not just yearly, but daily. And as He hands it to us, hopefully we take the nail-scarred hand of His only begotten Son so that we can journey on together. Jesus and me, Jesus and you – dialoguing, collaborating, laughing, loving, sharing a hankie, forgiving. That’s what I want to do more of in the new year. How about you?