As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my children respond best to “code words,” and one of them is bora, the Spanish word for erase. We erase whatever infraction has occurred, and start over again.

As we prepare to begin a new calendar year, the concept of a clean slate is appealing. Though we get a “mini” new slate every 24 hours, as God grants us each new day, the thought of a whole year to do something (lose weight, learn a new language or hobby), holds allure.

My two youngest are very attuned to changes in mood. They really need to check in a lot with me: “Are you mad at me, Mama?” and “Does that make you happy, Mama?” are common questions throughout my day. I know that it’s a common thing with children who have gone through a series of caregivers to check in and make sure they are still wanted and loved.

So, the thought of a big “do over,” or really, a “do better” can be cathartic for children. Under Old Testament law, the people’s sins were rolled forward from year to year. But. with the coming of Christ and His sacrifice, our sins are paid for, and no longer rolled forward.

Though I firmly believe that children have no sin, I bring up this point because there’s something about the thought of a new year that makes each of us optimistically hopeful, and helps us to let go of some of our past, and children who have been adopted are no different. Getting another shot at something; the opportunity to do something even better – these are helpful concepts with children. Having a brand new clean slate is a beautiful piece of imagery, one I think kids can respond to.

One of my favorite Bible passages speaks to this point:

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

I’m looking forward to sharing this thought with my children, as they think about a new beginning to a new year.

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