I asked the question of “what’s new?” to the elders with whom I work.  The response was silence.  I pursued the question again, “what’s new?”.  There was more silence.  They are generally receptive to my attempts at generating discussions.  So I waited some more.  After a pause, I said giving them them the day’s calendar date and year.  Has there ever been this day before?  They began to catch on and little by little we came up with a number of new things that were relevant to that day.  

Frequently, I too forget to look for what’s new in my life and in the world around me. I wonder if you do the same.  So often I join with the writer of Ecclesiastes and declaring that their is “nothing new under the sun.”  (Ecclesiastes 1:9b)  Busy with my daily routine, I forget to look for, or be open to newness including blessings that I take for granted, such as a new day.

For the next few weeks I will be keeping a “what’s new?” journal to assist myself in being aware of things that are new.  I invite you to join me in prayer, keeping a journal, and observing what is new in your life.  What is emerging in your life?  What do you see in nature during this late summer time?  What is new?