“Behold, I am making all things new.”
— Revelation 21:5
New. Clean. Fresh Start. Do-Over.
New Beginnings.
I just love new beginnings, don’t you? New buds in the spring, dressing barren trees in a soft, hazy green. Lacy fairy-tale gowns and shoes to say “I do.” Spankin’ new school supplies and clothes in the fall—all crisp and clean and new!
Goodness, new things even have their own smell—new cars, new books, new shoes. Just like the clean scent of fresh laundry billowing in a sun-kissed breeze, it makes a body feel good, you know? Fresh and clean and new.
And so very, very full of hope.
Just like Easter.
A celebration of a new beginning for souls so badly in need of salvation, a cleansing and a healing from the God of Second Chances. A do-over unlike any other. Where God not only washes souls that are scarlet with sin, but bleaches them until they’re white as snow.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
— Isaiah 1:18
And not just one time, mind you—but daily—because that’s what Easter is all about. A God Whose love never ceases and Whose mercies never come to an end.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies
never come to an end; they are new every morning …
—Lamentations 3:22-23
And I don’t know about you, but I need all the mercy and grace I can get.
Daily.
Which is why Easter is the most important day of the year to me. To me, it represents my “do-over” … and over … and over. Where this weak and wanting human being can go “from strength to strength until I appear before God in Zion.” —Psalm 84:7.
Sigh. What an AWESOME God we serve! So, let’s serve Him well this Easter with a heart full of thanksgiving and a mouth full of praise. I guarantee you, it will nourish and fill you far more than any Easter ham or chocolate eggs.
OH, AND SPEAKING OF “NEW” …
I just happen to have a brand-new contest going on right now till next Thursday, April 16, so check it out below:
WITH THIS KISS CONTEST
How would you like to have a character named after you in my next book, a signed copy, and your choice of one of my books or one of the books from any of the ladies in the “With This Kiss” collections AND a top CBA book from my personal library?
Well, now you can with a brand-new contest I’ve kicked off to help promote the “With This Kiss” collections, which include my brand-new novella, Grace Like Rain, about Blake “The Rake” McClare. Want details? Just hop on over to my “Contest” page of this website to get started and GOOD LUCK!! Here’s the link:
HISTORICAL FICTION WINNERS:
PLEASE accept my apologies for the delay in posting the winners of the Historical Fiction Contest. Here they are now (listed by book won, then winner of that book) and SUPER CONGRATS to each and every one of you!
The Daughter of Highland Hall: Karen Stancliff
The Wood’s Edge: Nicki Olsen
The Captive Imposter: Abigail Grace Richmond
Surprised By Love: Jessie Gunderson
The Covered Deep: Nita West
A Lady at Willowgrove Hall: Deanne Patterson
Brentwood’s Ward: Angie Griffis
An Uncertain Choice: Lisa Stifler
Love’s Fortune: Lee Anne McKinney
The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest: Mikal Hermanns
I wish you and yours a most blessed Easter and Happy Do-Over!
Hugs,
Julie
