A SECOND CHANCE
Is this sufficient enough to sow the seeds of enduring change?
I remember vividly last summer, I was strolling down the street on an ordinary day when I saw a young woman, radiant and full of life, walk past me wearing a simple T-shirt with a powerful statement emblazoned across the front. "I serve a God of second chance."
Yes, the words were bold, but at the same time, they were humble. Carrying a weight far greater than the fabric they were printed on.
At first, I read them in passing, almost as if they were another fleeting scene in the background of just another day. However, as I walked on, those words began to echo in my mind. They didn't strike me immediately, it took a few moments for their true meaning to sink in as I repeated the phrase. Over and over again, I turned it around in my mind like a puzzle piece that needs to fit into place. The more I thought about it, the more profound it became. What a beautiful truth to declare!
What an incredible reminder of grace! My heart stirred with a mixture of awe and gratitude as I contemplated what those words meant- not just for her but for everyone who has ever stumbled or fallen short.
For a brief moment, I considered turning around. I wanted to stop her and share my thoughts- perhaps tell her how deeply those words had touched me or thank her for wearing a shirt so meaningful. But then, as quickly as the thought came, I dismissed it. Maybe she was busy. Maybe she wouldn't want to talk to a stranger, especially one of a different racial background.
For me, it was enough that her T-shirt had spoken volumes without her saying a single word.
As I continued walking, my mind wandered further into the idea of second chances. Imagine if life only gave us two chances at everything- just two opportunities to get things right. How much could we truly accomplish? How much would we dare to try if we knew failure could only be redeemed once?
Think about it: just two chances to find the right career path.
What if you chose wrong the first time? What if you pursued something that didn't align with your passion or purpose? Would you have the courage to try again, knowing the next attempt was your last?
Or consider marriage- a sacred union built on love, trust, and commitment. What if you had only two chances to get it right?
Relationships are complex and require patience, understanding, and growth.
Would we approach such differently if we believed there was no room for mistakes beyond our second try?
Success is also complex. The world often measures success by achievements and milestones, by how high we climb or how far we go. However, success is rarely linear, it's filled with setbacks and detours.
So I ask myself, if we were limited to just two chances at success, how many dreams would be left unrealised? A lot of people would give up after their first failure out of fear that their second attempt might fall short as well.
The thought was not only sobering but also enlightening. It made me realise how merciful and generous God truly is. A second chance doesn't necessarily mean only one more opportunity. It's not about counting chances or keeping score. It's about grace that renews itself every time we fall short. It's about a love so boundless that it meets us where we are and offers us another opportunity to grow and learn as well as to redeem ourselves. I smiled as this revelation washed over me. The God I serve isn't just a God of second chances - He's the God of new chances and infinite grace! His mercies are new every morning.
That young woman may never know how much her T-shirt impacted me that day, but her message stayed with me long after she disappeared from view.
So today, I pray this not just for myself but for everyone: May life always present us with numerous chances for growth, learning, and redemption beyond the first mistake or failure. May we never take those opportunities for granted but embrace them with gratitude and determination.
And above all, may we remember that no matter how many times we fall short or lose our way, there is always grace waiting for us- a grace that offers not just a second chance but endless possibilities for renewal and transformation.
About the Creator
Oluremi Adeoye
Accomplished writer & former journalist. I craft engaging articles for Vocal media, exploring diverse topics with passion and depth, creating compelling narratives that resonate with readers.
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From the earliest memories I can recall, life presented me with two roads. One was smooth, inviting, and well-trodden—a path that promised comfort, approval, and ease. The other was rough, rocky, and uncertain—a path of struggle, obstacles, and lessons that demanded effort, patience, and resilience. I never chose the smooth road. I never took shortcuts. Not because I was fearless, but because something deep inside refused to let me live a life that wasn’t earned. The easy path whispered promises of fleeting satisfaction, fleeting success, and fleeting recognition. It was tempting. Many around me chose it, and I often wondered if I was foolish for ignoring it. But I learned early that true growth is rarely convenient. The easiest choice often leads to emptiness, to regret, to a quiet knowing that you could have been more than you allowed yourself to be. Hardship became my teacher long before success ever noticed me. The lessons it offered were harsh, uncompromising, and often lonely. 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