This morning I did not want to get out of bed.  I had done some heavy lifting yesterday and this morning my body was protesting.  All I wanted was more sleep.   My muscles did not want to support my weight.  I felt grumpy, dirty, and worn out.  Yet my daughter was calling and the day’s work needed to be done.  So slowly I got up and dressed for the day.  Reluctantly I put on my coat and headed outside to get something from my car.  The minute I stepped out the door I was greeted by a cool, crisp, and very refreshing breath of air.  Instantly I was awake,  renewed, and ready to take on the day.

Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
-Psalm 51:7-12 (the Message)

Have you ever felt worn out, overwhelmed, or disgusted by your actions?  Have you ever woken up and wanted to stay in bed because you regretted the choices you made yesterday?  Have you ever felt hopeless? The writer of this Psalm felt that way.  He had sinned and was to the point where he used examples such as dirty laundry, broken bones, trash, and chaos, to describe his life.   It is in this Psalm that writer begs God to refresh his life, to cleanse him, heal him, and help him get out of bed.

Our theme from camp 2009 was One Life No Regret and I know that you have been trying hard to live life by that motto.  Yet I’m sure at some point over the past couple of months you have woken up and regretted the day before.   Maybe your actions have left you feeling broken, dirty, and tired.  The good news is that when we call out to God and ask him for forgiveness, He gives it and instantly we are renewed.  Like that cool, crisp, refreshing breath of morning air, God awakens us and we are ready to face a new day.