Why can't they just get it? Have you ever found yourself asking that question when reading about the Israelites, who time and time again complained about being in the wilderness and taking God's guidance and protection for granted? Or even when the disciples would question Jesus and His ability to do all things after witnessing so many miracles?
We sit on this side of the cross and are astounded at how many chances God gave His people after messing up. Peter denying Jesus three times? Really? Thomas asking for proof that it was really Him when Jesus rose from the grave. We can read so many people in God's Word that just didn't seem to get it....and we wonder, how is that possible?
Then when we take a look in the mirror, we see that we are just like them. We fail time and time again, and by the grace of God, can find forgiveness and another chance.
At the Haynes' home, I have mentioned we make mistakes and say I'm sorry often. As a parent, giving second chances is part of the gig. It is part of the training process of raising children. Who am I kidding?...it is part of the training process for people of all ages. Emma is well aware that this is part of our family theme. Just a couple weeks ago, Adam had told them they were all done with doing an activity because he had given them warnings several times to not bang on the front door. Inevitably, in their excitement, they did it again. When told to sit down on the sofa, Emma said, "But Daddy, we do second chances!". It made me smile. (He had actually given them several chances before making them sit down.)
Part of giving second chances is talking with our kids about their mistakes and what they should have done, and can do, differently. Sometimes, we press the rewind button, and we get to pretend to do it all over again as if the initial error was never made. It sometimes brings on more tears, but most of the time brings on laughter and reconciliation.
I love second chances. It speaks of acknowledging that, while there is nothing we can do to undo what has been done, there is still hope our actions can prove that we are sorry and have learned our lesson.
None of us ever outgrow the need to receive second chances. So why do we grow tired of extending them to our kids? If we are always going to be in need of them, these precious little lives God has entrusted us with certainly do as well. If we are called to "love others as we love ourselves", we must extend the grace to others that we desire to receive from others.
There is, of course, value in balancing second chances with discipline. For us, second chances do not always mean there is not consequences involved. Sometimes, that second chance is not granted for a day or two. Sometimes, time needs to pass in order for a lesson to be learned. For instance, if one of our children decide to not share a toy, they may have to go without it for awhile to realize it is far better to share what they have with others than to live without it altogether. What a painful lesson for all ages! We are not wired to wait.
Our family does second chances...and yes, it usually doesn't stop there. We love each other and will never give up on any member of this family. I am so thankful God loves us and does not give up on us. He extends us grace, He gives us second chances, He can strengthen us through our mistakes and we end up never being the same again. We see it back in Bible times...and some things never change. My prayer for this home is that we purposefully strive to reflect God's love through good times and bad. God is not through working on any of us...so while He chooses to mold us into what He wants us to be, we choose to spur each other on amidst the process. In this home...we do second chances.
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