A very white, blank, empty screen...

It was a moment frozen in time.  I could not believe what I saw...or in this case, what I didn't see. 

Recently, I typed a sermon for my husband.  As he added to it, I promptly typed the new material into my laptop.  I was so thrilled when the file was completed.  The only remaining task was to increase the font size and print out his copy.

With relief and excitement, I turned on the laptop and connected it to the printer.  Just before printing, I looked at the screen...a very white, blank, empty screen!  Everything was gone!  I froze in disbelief.  I still don't know what happened.  After a few tears, I was determined.  It was now time to start over.  And the typing began.

I began thinking.  Although my file unfortunately vanished, there are times that a new beginning is a good thing.  We realize that previous chapters have influenced our life story.  We can't rewrite history.  Yet, each day is a fresh start.  A very white, blank, empty "screen" waits for new thoughts, choices, words and actions. 

My thoughts continued.  How grateful I am that God hears our cries, sees our tears, knows our hearts and cleanses our wounds.  Only He can use previous chapters of our lives to learn, grow and reach others for Him.  Only God can hand us a new "white page" as He says..."Let's start over."  This is a new chapter.  A new beginning.  Life continues, but now has a beautiful new direction in our story. Thank You, God, for new beginnings, new sentences, paragraphs and chapters.  Thank You for new moments and very white, blank empty screens.  May my story now reflect You most of all.♥~thl

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."  Psalm 40: 1>3