I'm Doing Something New
We did some much-needed spring cleaning last weekend. It felt good to declutter, scour, and shine up the house -all with a wonderful breeze coming through the open windows. The sound of kids playing outside put a spring in my step as I cleaned. (Terrible pun intended.)
As I hoisted a large trash bag into the bin, I spotted a few perfect purple crocuses peeking through. Why does such a beautiful flower have such an ugly name? The day when they appear is one of my favorite parts of spring. When I see them, I always think about that verse in Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
God is reminding his people how He’s been faithful in the past and that they are His. The Israelites (just like us) have a tendency to get amnesia about the ways God’s faithfulness. When I start to get annoyed by them, I realize it’s because I can see myself in their forgetfulness. In this reminder of how God has seen them through, He’s letting them know that He’s not finished with them yet. That He’s doing a new thing. He’s “making a way in the wilderness and streams in a wasteland.”
The dead grass and leaves that surround the crocuses are reminiscent of that wilderness or wasteland God’s talking about here. But in the midst of all that dead debris, a splash of color is popping through. “Do not dwell on the past. I’m doing something new.” This passage is a great reminder that our God is a God of redemption. He delights in things being made new and whole again.
Last weekend, we celebrated 93 baptisms across the campuses at our church. Seeing all those names on the screen I was reminded of how God delights in making us new. As each of the people stepped out of that water during our service, it was like God was whispering to them, “Do not dwell on the past. I’m doing something new.”
If you’ve been following my blog the last couple of weeks, you know I’m doing an Earth Day Family Challenge to celebrate the one year anniversary of the debut of my book, I Made the Earth. Any family who scores 5,000 points or more will be put in a drawing for a grand prize. This idea of doing something new reminded me of this spread of my book with all the little critters living in the grass. All that new life just waiting to be marveled at by a little child. All those colors hiding in the grass. You can earn 100 points by doing this printable “Critters” coloring page. Encourage your kids to add as much color as they can.
Here's a printable version of the challenge. Don't forget to add the hashtag #IMadeTheEarthChallenge when you post your activities.
I’ve waited a few weeks to share with you exactly what the grand prize will be. I was reminded of spring breaks when our family spent time at a state park lodge or cabin. We’ve visited a few and always enjoyed our time there. So, for the grand prize, I’ll be giving one family a free night at a state park! I can’t wait to see who will win and how they’ll spend their time. We love state parks because of all the activities they offer. We’ve done archery, disc golf, basketball, boating, and swimming at our visits. So many ways to celebrate this beautiful earth God made for us.
I hope you get a chance to get outside this week. Get some sunshine and see all the ways God is doing something new. Let’s not dwell on the past. Let’s rejoice in a God who is a God of redemption. A God who delights in making us new and whole again.
Blessings,
Shannon