"It is time to refresh myself with God’s mercies today! He holds all that I need." Kathy Spampinato

In life we have days filled with joy that energize us and motivate us, but also, days where we feel the lack. Joy has dissipated like a mist. Have you ever felt like you just need a fresh start? The worry, stress, and tensions of yesterday have left you depleted. You don’t seem to have the energy or the desire to do it again today. It all seems like just too much to carry. Where did the enthusiasm and love for your life go? How did your joy seep away without you noticing? You are dragging yourself through your day only by determination.

There are so many circumstances in life that drain our energy. It could be an insurmountable problem, or more simply, being worn down by a myriad of little things that have piled up. You just don’t have the passion or conviction to carry you today. So, what are you going to do about it? Where will the hopeful attitude or energy come from? I would like to encourage you to look to God and His word for your answers and your motivation.

Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”

When God’s mercies never come to and end, I remember that God does indeed hold the answer. He has the key to what I am looking for. He embodies the love and strength I lack. In seeking Him, I find myself filled. God’s mercies include grace, hope, life, and love. His character embodies the fruits of faithfulness, goodness, kindness, peace and joy. He is the source of all that I need. It is time to be refreshed in His presence, where I will discover the fullness of joy. This morning it is time to wake up and remind myself that His presence holds all that I need.

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Romans 8:35, 37-38 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

I am reminded that none of the circumstances of life can separate me from the Lord. Only I can allow that. I can drift and stop paying attention. I can forget that God is leading me and neglect to listen to His voice. However, I also carry the power to turn things around. It is time to refresh myself with God’s mercies today! He holds all that I need. I love the idea that the daily mercies are “fresh”. That speaks to me of the intense flavor of freshly squeezed juice or the aroma of bread fresh from the oven. The smell alone draws you close and compels you to partake. God’s mercies are close to me today. I can draw near and taste and see that the Lord is good. So can you!