I learned recently what the letter of the law actually is. According to one sweet daughter, it's H. Of course, she didn't say it in so many words, but I got the message anyway.

She and her sister were having a fight disagreement when I heard her yell say loudly, "I h-word you!" Our girls all know they aren't allowed to say hate. (Except for hating the devil. One takes great delight in hating the devil.) But she wanted to express the sentiment. So she was in perfect obedience of the letter of the law, but missed the spirit of the law. Legalism starts early!

We discussed that she actually loves her sister, and that anger doesn't give us the right to be unkind. And the two involved in this episode are best friends once again.

And I realize that as a mom, my girls are ready for me to begin going beyond the what of the law to the why of the law: that we want to reflect Jesus in everything. And He only hates sin - and the devil!

I like the Jewish calendar. I like that their New Year begins in the spring. I think it would be easier to reflect on the past, to consider the future, and to make changes in the midst of the newness of spring. The middle of winter is just not a real motivating time for me, no matter what the calendar says! Too cold, not enough daylight, too many cloudy days!

I also think a new day should begin at sunset (like the Israelite calendar) or at sunrise. Why a new day begins in the middle of the night when only those of us who are night owls are awake to see it baffles me. And even though I have seen the beginnings of more new days than I really needed to, they still seem like part of the old day I'm about to finish.

But since I don't think we're going to change our calendar or our clock after so many years, I guess I'll just have to deal with it. The great thing is that every day is new with God. His mercies really are new every morning! And every evening! And even at midnight when I'm supposed to be asleep but am not! So even though I've messed up some of the goals (I don't do resolutions.) I've chosen for the year, I can start over today. Maybe I'll start with going to bed before midnight!