Lamentations 3:22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

This morning I was reminded again in the loss of my beloved dog Leo, that each morning brings a new blessing. With every end there is a new beginning as I mention in my recently published book “A Christian Guide to Insurmountable Loss”. I was out on a soccer field with my new companion Joby, just 11 weeks old, training him in different areas and as he ran off to retrieve a little frisbee I threw out, I was reminded that just 8 years ago I was doing this with Leo when he too was 11 weeks. In the quiet of the morning just myself and my dog as he learned new things from me.

I can only thank God for this blessing! And it is something I can for myself I have taken for granted many times. That each day is a new blessing. We aren’t guaranteed a tomorrow or a future here on earth. It was just one year ago, I was probably out on the same soccer field with Leo who was in great health at the time. A year later, he had sadly passed away at an age I or others would not expect him to.

With Independence Day approaching, my heart goes out to the parents of fallen soldiers. They raised their children, they deeply cared for them, they dressed, they fed them, they taught them. With this, the natural expectation is to see their future as well, weddings, grandkids, etc. When a war came, they served their country, and then the news of their death on the field also came. That future just vanished in a second. The sorrow and grief which stems from this event is immense. One really doesn’t get over. But it serves as a reminder that the future is unknown.

So take care of every day! Each morning is a blessing from God. The fact that you are here, and can still make a difference in this fallen world is that blessing from Him. Learn from the great losses in life not to take for granted this blessing. If we treated each day as if it were our last day, how would we behave is the question to ask. If we treated others as if it was their last day, of which it very well could, what would you want to do or say to this person? Don’t wait for tomorrow in other words. Don’t expect a long life fretting about 401ks and retirement plans, expect only that you were granted today, the blessing of this morning.

If you are one who has put off listening to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, telling others “I don’t have the time”, remember the time is short. And a sobering reminder that you won’t be able to accomplish much six foot under the ground. Today, if you hear the voice of Jesus, harden not your heart. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one goes to heaven but through Him. This is not about church-going, it is about believing, truly believing that Jesus paid your sin debt and repenting of sin in your life. No one is perfect nor will be outside of His righteousness. Scripture teaches us that God only saves the ungodly, and gives equal justice to all. We deserve this justice on our sins, we don’t deserve His mercy of which He is always willing to grant.

If you are being drawn by God, but need help in this faith, pray the prayer of the father in Mark 9:24, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” I assure you God listens to this prayer! He will HELP you in your unbelief!