The One Second Miracle happens every December 31st at midnight, experienced by some, unperceived by others.  The all important transition second in time is a leap to renewal or an opportunity to remain unchanged.  Physically, one second to the next looks mostly the same; it is the spirit of the moment that indicates the personal choice to recognize the moment as a miracle.

Sometimes, temptation to remain unchanged blurs the vision to see the miracle.  For example, we can unwittingly allow M. Emotionally Stuck to come into our home, unpack its bags, start a load of clothes, and begin brewing coffee while ransacking the fridge.  Once there, the difficulty that created M. Emotionally Stuck (M. E. S.) in the first place seems to live without restraint if not addressed.  Left to its own devices, its bags disappear and M. E. S. has now moved all belongings in to crowd all the drawers in the house and has made a shopping list of things to do and get to make its life more comfortable.  And then comes the opportunity to see the One Second Miracle!  It may be the will to throw the bags on the lawn along with the still wet clothes or lock the door of the cupboard and the fridge with combination locks whose secret codes are known only to the owner.  But the one second will to begin the move out, the choice to renewal, changes everything.  M. Emotionally Stuck cannot co-exist with M. Renewal.

Maybe just maybe, this New Year’s leap can jumpstart forward even though consequences of mistakes and hard circumstances are still there and remain year to year.  Renewal means starting over with unhappy consequences and circumstances in place along with a new verve to bypass more of the same by foreseeing potential rough waters so as to avoid them and encouraging others to do the same.  In that case, next year’s transition from 2011 to 2012 is the One Second Miracle made swifter, higher, stronger.

Renewal Has Soul
Renewal only comes with genuine heartfelt transformation from a work of grace in the soul, an imparting of wisdom.  The one second of time that carries over the Spirit of Christmas into the dawn of a New Year holds the potential for wisdom of the ages.
A favorite definition of wisdom is being able to determine the right and true thing to do without having to experience it first, that is, not having to be an alcoholic, unfaithful spouse, abusive friend, or manipulative work associate or family member to understand that none of those actions would be in anyone’s best relational interest.

Renewal continues throughout the year when seeking wisdom is a first priority.   The continual seeking is the fulcrum that keeps the scales tipped to understanding the deeper reasons why things happen versus the shortsightedness of moving without contemplation to accommodate the temptation of the moment (or let M. E. S. stay in the house overnight again).

Divine Providence does not blink an eye during the annual One Second Miracle.  We, however, would be wise to do so much like blinking eyes to see a bit more clearly when the windshield wipers are not quite clearing the way in a sudden downpour or when the window fogs up momentarily as the heater comes on in tepid or particularly humid weather (If you have ever lived in Houston, Texas, you can relate.).  We need to see the miracle clearly or wisdom will elude us.

If the One Second Miracle becomes merely self-will to do differently rather than reliance on the Grace of true renewal, there are merely lots of vows and follow through actions but  little or no renewal, elevation of purpose. Worthy new goals and kept promises can be good things but they beg the question: “Did the One Second Miracle generate true renewal or are these new acts just a diversion to resemble renewal?” Remember the week after 9/11 when it seemed we were all changed, renewed as to the priorities of our life. It was a temporary renewal nationwide, but long enough to give us a glimpse of what true renewal could be, might be, and was in some.

Connection To Joy
One second can bring a miracle of the heart.  That’s why the focus on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the dawning of the New Year is so vital and has remained an anticipated ritual.  Granted, not everyone reveres it.   Nevertheless, the wisdom to grasp New Year 2011 can be the time you see it as one step closer to fulfilling your purpose in life that will prosper you, not harm you and give you hope and a future.  By accepting a jumpstart once more, the One Second Miracle of the spirit can be in motion to set aside the past for an opportunity to press on for greater, wiser focus each year.

Joy of renewal is not in the fertile ground of achievement but is found in the surrender to the renewing of the heart that can come from the One the Second Miracle able to keep renewing all year long:

Who lives in your house this New Year 2011, M. Emotionally Stuck or M. Renewal?