Second Chances – July 16, 2000
A woman traveling by plane was confiding in her seat mate that her child had failed to finish high school. Sensing the need for some encouraging words, the companion said, “We live in a world of second chances,” then went on to explain that all was not lost. Though the woman’s child may have chosen an unorthodox path, there were still ways to graduate, to go on to a fulfilling career, and to use the mistake as a learning tool. So often, when we miss a goal, we despair that we’ve come to the end of the road.
But this isn’t so. Our loving Father in Heaven has filled life with many more options than the obvious ones before us. Sometimes to find such solutions we have to research, to pray, to be creative. Sometimes we need to pay for our mistakes, repent, and change our thinking completely. Usually we need to buckle down and work harder than before.
But there’s always a way to come out on the other side with lessons learned, new and exciting plans, and enthusiasm for the future. We can always hope for final success with Heavenly Father guiding us, even if we’ve made mistakes.
Have you ever bowed your head in sorrow or shame, certain that you’ve failed? All of us have experienced the anguish of our errors—in school, on the job, in personal lives. We miss opportunities; we offend others; we make poor choices. Sometimes our actions hurt those around us and cause those we love to grieve. And though our situation can look bleak and even hopeless at the moment, we need not give in to despair.
We all can earn a second chance. A sincere apology, a redoubled effort, an offer to make amends—all can generate another try at trust, a way to correct mistakes.
Best of all, we can offer a second chance to others. Just as God offers us His mercy and forgiveness, we can extend our hand to those around us who are asking for our pardon, hoping to repair a damaged relationship. We’re blessed when someone offers us a second chance, and blessed again when we do the offering.
Program #3700