Word of the Week: For When You Need a Clean Slate
17June 8, 2014 by Beth Hess
Over the next 2 weeks, I’ll be spending a lot of time around golf as a volunteer at the USGA US Open Championships at Pinehurst No. 2. Seems, then, like a good time to repost these thoughts on the game. And grace. And how God makes everything new.
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One of the things I love about golf is that every hole is a fresh start. Sure, you’re supposed to keep a cumulative score, but I try not to get so wrapped up in a total round (or I’d probably never go back on a course). One hole at a time gets me by just fine.
And no matter what happened on the last tee to green, I have found that I tee up every new ball just knowing this is going to be a good one. Back to zero. Clean slate. Anything is possible right here, right now.
And, to me, that feels a lot like grace.
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
His mercies are new every morning. In fact — every moment.
God’s grace is sufficient to clear the scorecard of my past flubs and mis-hits and splashes and wanderings in the woods. Each moment is a clean ball. A new Goal. And a wide open fairway.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. Kind of like the ping of a well-hit driver.
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I return each Sabbath for a fresh Word of the Week. For the God-breathed pages to come alive in a phrase or two on which to spend a 7-day feast. To meditate upon. To use as a jumping off point for whatever other words God would have me hear during the week. I would love for you to join the Word of the Week (WOW) discussion by adding your selected verse to the comments … or reflections on any scripture reading.
Linking with Unforced Rhythms — a wonderful community of writers who gather each Monday to share with you HERE.
Just Be Beth 
[…] week, God was speaking to me about how his mercy is new and fresh and clean over and over and over again every day (every moment, even) … but in the […]
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Thanks for this fresh perspective for this non-athlete! Appreciate this, Beth! Enjoy the weekend …
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Glad God used it to speak to you, Linda.
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Beth, My life verse is Psalm 73:26 – My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Remind myself everyday. So thankful for fresh starts. Great analogy!
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Oh, Deb. That verse soothes my spirit. I can see why you cling to it. Thank you for sharing it.
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Beth,
My husband is a golfer and he would love how you used a golf analogy 🙂 I’m with you…the do-over of grace…so very grateful 🙂 Like how we mentioned the same verse in Lamentations in our posts 🙂
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It’s always ironic to me how much hope is found in a book of Laments. (Lamentations) … but I suppose it’s just like God to, again, turn our mourning to dancing. I’m grateful you stopped by and shared.
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How sweet the sound is His amazing grace! Love that we get do-overs every day. Thanks for sharing this, Beth.
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Isn’t it fun to hear all the amazing and different ways God reveals His grace? I appreciate you stopping by.
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This whole idea of a word a week is wonderful, a simple way to be more mindful of seeing throughout the week. I love how you weave grace in with golf here, and really, the whole theme of your blog – learning to love your life in every season, hunting for beauty… yes, sister. I want these things, too, and I appreciate the opportunities to learn to see through others’ eyes. Thank you for stopping in at my place with your kind words and for linking up at Kelli’s. I look forward to seeing you around.
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Amber: Not only has this discipline of Word of the Week given me a scripture to hang onto during the waves of my weekly routine, but it’s also forced me to reconnect with the Word and explore it in my writing. Which only helps promote the goals of finding beauty and loving my life in every season. Thrilled to have found another kindred spirit on the journey.
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So glad you came by for I have been refreshed with your word of the week. I love how you used this to relate to golf. I am not one but learned the game in college so understand. But God’s word is clear here just as we wrote of at my place…He is not the God of confusion.
May your week be blessed and you be a blessing.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
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I, too, am glad we have connected, Linda. God so often uses the words of others in connection with His Word to bring the clarity we need. I am blessed if you found any measure of that here.
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New every morning, that’s the best of it. Thanks for linking up, Beth.
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He gives it every morning, yes. I pray I remember to RECEIVE it every morning, too. Blessings!
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I’m not a golfer but I really enjoyed this, Beth. To me it reflects how God is truly a part of every aspect of your life and when we let Him in like that oh the amazing grace.
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Golfer or not, I’m sure we can all relate to being grateful for God’s “do-over” chances. Like the mercies of every morning. Bless you, Beth!
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