Second Chances

Jet lag is no bueno. Seriously, not fun. I'm going to bed here in Phoenix when it is morning in Thailand So yesterday morning, at 4:35 AM, when my eyes opened wideawake, I decided not to fight it. I'd just get ready and treat myself to an early morning breakfast.

Now normally I am not a morning person. I like sleeping. No, I love sleeping. A lot (it is of God after all!). But, I do love dawn. There is something so magical about the world still being asleep while you are awake to view the purple, pink and orange tints that color the sky. It's like I'm in on a secret that other people missed out on. So, in a way, I was glad to wake up early and venture out into the world with the few other early birds.

As I drove south on the 51 freeway, I gazed in wonder at the hint of orange behind the still shadowed mountains and the lone bird dipping and soaring through the colored atmosphere. It's amazing how much peace I felt just in viewing that simple scene. Very reverent. Everything was calm. The day held endless possibilities. It reminded me of a quote from one of my favorite movies, "Anne of Green Gables," in which Anne says, "Tomorrow is fresh and new with no mistakes in it."

No mistakes. I know there have been quite a few times in my life, where some burden was upon me, and when I would awake in the morning, I would instantly feel its weight. I would sigh, get up, and just pray I would make it through the day without it affecting my job and/or attitude. Where I wouldn't make any mistakes to add to the burden. Sometimes I was successful, sometimes I wasn't. However, I was able to walk out that day the best I could knowing I was giving life a second chance; I had chosen to get up.

I'm such a big believer in second chances. Perhaps even to a fault. But I firmly trust in the good that can be within everyone. I've had some people do some pretty hurtful things to me. But, I'm sad to say, that I've also done some pretty hurtful things to people as well. My friend and I were talking about that in church this morning. We've been friends for about 7 years now and we've had our ups and downs. I am talking HIGH highs and LOW lows. And yet, somehow, we are still such dear friends. "You know," I said to my friend, "we must really care about each other after all we've been through and we're still friends." And we're still friends because we gave each other a second, third, and fourth chance.

While I was babysitting in Thailand, we had one rocky night where the kids were acting up pretty bad. I sat them down on their beds and said, "Look, tonight was not so great. We all had our own issues to make us grouchy. But tomorrow's a new day. Let's try again tomorrow." That second chance proved to be successful as the kids were happy and fine as I poured them Rice Krispies the next morning. You would have never known it seemed like heads were about to come off the night before.

Tomorrow is like our second chance on life. Tomorrow is forgiving. Tomorrow is giving grace to those who have come against us. Tomorrow is hope for beauty and peace. And tomorrow starts today. Every minute, every situation, every person could be a new tomorrow for you. So, take a chance, try again, or expect something amazingly new. A beautifully spectacular dawn could be in store.

As Scarlett O'Hara once said, "After all, tomorrow is another day."