Starting Right

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.  Psalms 5:3

The way we start is important.  The way we start our lives or even day often sets the tone for the rest of our day or lives for that matter.  Starting our day in prayer often sets the tone for a good day.  Similarly, giving our children a good start in life often sets the tone for the remainder of their lives.  How many times have we heard stories of people that were abused or neglected as children that later have problems with inner emotional turmoil or maintaining healthy relationships as adults?  A good start is essential.  A tree's roots are formed early in the tree's life.  Healthy roots result in a healthy tree and good fruit (or life).  Conversely, unhealthy roots result in an unhealthy tree and bad fruit.  Jesus said to "make the tree good, and his fruit good" (Matthew 12:33).  A bad start in life or even for our day allows seeds to be sown that take root.  

The good news is that regardless of how we start our lives, God specializes in giving us a fresh start.  Isaiah 43:18-19 instructs us to "remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth."  Additionally, God said, "I make all things new" (Revelations 21:5).  God is the God of a fresh start.  Regardless of the bad hand you may have been dealt early in life, make a commitment to receive the Lord today and receive a fresh new start.