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?