2012 is upon us. Sometimes it’s just easier to begin “a new” with the change of season or year. Thankfully in reality every morning brings new mercies. Either way each and every one of us has at least one new leaf waiting to be turned.

Knowing thy self is easier said than done. Accepting thyself is even harder. Changing what needs changing is work!

The hardest things to change are those things I call micro-habits. Those tiny things that are so easily justified in our hearts and in our heads: little white lies, a little cheating, leaving out little pieces of the truth, breaking promises, keeping the change when we are overpaid.

That part of us that says, “don’t be so hard on yourself,” keeps us doing those same things.

I told a little white lie the other day about my weight. When instead I could’ve just chosen not to answer. So when we think about it, honestly, a little white lie makes one a petty liar, and a little cheating on the game makes one a petty cheater.Yes, we are all sinners and no one continuously does good (Romans 3:10). Thankfully we are saved by grace! (Ephesian 2:8) But, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t represent our true citizenship. We are called to bring God’s kingdom on earth: dying daily to sin, bearing our cross, and pushing forward.We are not called to be petty.

Yep, it’s hard. No one said it was going to be easy.

Peculiar people, each and every one of us has at least one new leaf waiting to be turned.