It is already February again, the month filled with love and chocolate candy. We are no more getting all of the treats out of the house from the holidays, and here comes another wave of sugar filled snacks. You can look in any store around town and find red and pink refills for your candy jar. That leaves me with the question, where do we go to get a refill of love? I am not referring to our love for chocolate; I am talking about our love for those around us. As we love those in our circle of friends and family it depletes our storehouse of love and caring. I am also aware that some people will drain you quicker than others. As I was traveling over Lake Lanier the other day I think I received my answer.

Winter in Atlanta means a lot of things; one is the refilling of Lake Lanier. Man in all his wisdom believes we are able to have control over anything we want to have control over. All summer long the lake level drops and we hope for rain that always seems to elude the North Georgia area. My thought is that while we open the gates of our heart rationing our love, we must wait on the Creator to refill that love just like God refills the lake.  When that filling does happen we can look forward toward not only a full pool, but a cup overflowing.

For many of us the phrase “ready or not here I come” may bring a slight smile to our face. This is especially true if you were not the one yelling those words of announcement. On a rainy day these games were played around the house.  They were also played on a large scale involving the entire neighborhood during the summer. The task was to wait quietly until you heard the words, “Olly-Olly Oxen in free.” At that point you survived that round and were not ‘IT’ for the next round.

The start of a new year is traditionally the time to proclaim, olly-olly oxen free over many areas of our lives. Eating habits, exercises, and reconnecting to old friends, are just a few examples. It is an opportunity to modify old routines and begin with a fresh start. One area I would like to challenge you to consider improving is your spiritual journey. I try to start each day with a new beginning and a better walk with the Creator of heaven and earth who is always saying “Come to me”.