Today is Blue Monday. . .

you know the song, “rainy days and Mondays always  get me down”.  I thought that was where blue Mondays got their name.  But no . . .

Imagine a day set aside as  Blue Monday.   January 19th has this unfortunate  honor. According to the reporter a day has been given this title due to the sadness and regrets of many who have already failed in  their commitment to their New Year’s determined and well intentioned plans.

The segment of the news program this morning went on to introduce the comfort foods that will simply help you forget your disappointments and guilt.   Then one can wait until next year and try again.  It was ironic that many of the dishes starred melted cheese as the gentle solace.  What about those wanting to cut calories?

Sounds like a strange roller-coaster to me.

I was on the treadmill early this morning–the first time this year!  I  was released from physical therapy on Friday and eager to begin a walking routine.  About midway through the work-out, I began to wonder just how long I would stay committed to my good plan.  After all, walking is good for you, right?

And then the storm began. All past  resolutions, new castles in the sky-blueprinted in hope–, book titles floating aimlessly, weekly blogs, new recipes to create –I am a master at so many new constructions.  How quickly I fail.  How soon those  castles crumble at my feet.  How many empty notebooks. . .

failure . . .

failure . . .

then the guilt begins . . .

“Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and the poison. I continually remember them and have become depressed.  YET I call this to mind and therefore I have hope. Because of the Lord’s faithful love, we do not perish for His mercies never end.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness–I will put my hope in Him.” Lamentations 3: 19-24

The prophet  Jeremiah now weeps at the failures of the very people he has loved and preached to for years.  And he leaves them with hope . . .

And I . . .

I will put my hope in Him.

Today is a new day . . . I will try again.

Now