Second Chances

Have you ever been given a second chance?

First, what is a second chance?

Wikipedia defines a 'second chance' as, "an opportunity to try something again."

I found myself dealing with second chances this week. One was in a difficult situation. In a moment of anger and frustration, one of my actions hurt one of my dearest friends very deeply. The entire situation has broken my heart with unanswered texts and unacknowledged phone calls. I've found myself in tears over the thought of possibly losing this friend for good. I've been praying and seeking help from Father, and while writing this friend a letter, I found myself asking for a second chance. I so desperately need and want a second chance.

In another completely different situation, I was given the opportunity to give a second chance. A few months ago I was seeing this guy and through a few events, proved himself to be the type of guy I didn't want and found myself throughly disappointed and sad. He has recently popped back up in to my life and even after my chewing him out and he apologizing, I have the choice to give him a second chance. Or not.

Why do we ask for second chances?

I think we inherently care for people, and I think we are all prone to make mistakes.

We ask for second chances to make things right and be the person we really want to be.

More so than that, I think it is just natural to want a second chance.

We were all created in a likeness of Christ 

and deep down we all have the yearning to do and be like him,

therefore, righting our wrongs and asking for another chance.

If we compare ourselves to Jesus then you have to look at the opposing side also.

Not only do we ask for second chances, but we should be giving them too.

In living like Jesus, we should forgive wrongs and give second chances over, and over

and over. 

Giving and receiving second chances are a hard subject,

but when you look at Jesus and past the situations you can see the trueness to it.

Jesus gives us second chances thousands of times each and every day.

Even more, we can luckily ask for second chances over and over and he gives freely without hesitation.

If that doesn't give you enough reason to give or receive a second chance,

then I don't know what is.

And if that isn't hope then we've all lost ours.