Fresh, Fresh Baby by Rayna Pittman

I remember arriving on Howard University’s campus for my freshman year in college. I felt both excited and sad. Excited about what lay ahead but deeply saddened about what I had to leave behind. My familiar life at home with my family gave way to a new adventure 1100 miles away.

Likewise, the beginning of the year brings with it new possibilities. Our New Year resolutions give us the opportunity to at least pretend we have a fresh start as if change automatically occurs with the new year. But change happens with a disciplined effort toward what we want to do differently, and is sometimes slow. We forsake the familiar life we know to experience life a new way, which we assume will enhance our future.

I also remember one of the last times I used profanity. A friend sarcastically reminded me that I was a hypocrite for suggesting to him to explore a new life with God through Jesus when I still acted the same old way. His comment hurt me deeply. I suppose I had miscommunicated that I thought I was perfect.

True, I had made a decision to accept Jesus as the Lord of my life, to go a new way, accepting a journey of change…leaving the familiar life behind. I had felt both excited and sad but this adventure has been worth every second.

2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.