Second Chances

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we have asked of him. 
-1 John 5:13-15

I spent a few hours last night purging my room at home and more so my life. I threw away multiple garbage bags of paper and plastic that are tied with memories from the past. As I was chucking items into black bags to never be seen again, there were plenty of moments that I hesitated and thought of too many reasons why I should hang on to them. I quickly convinced myself that hanging onto an item just to be able to remember the memory attached to it was foolish if I still remember the memories that truly matter. So after hours of trekking down memory lane, I parted with many personal items in order to prepare for a new stage of life coming up in a few months. Why am I blogging about this? I realized through the build up of the past, there has been an incredible theme to the past few years. A second chance. Well, more like a thousandth chance. 

Whenever I sit down and reflect on the story God has blessed me with, I still have a hard time comprehending that God chose and continues to choose me to give second chances to and be able to experience a truly fulfilling life. The odds that society would have given me to find the love of Christ were never in my favor growing up. I never went to church, ever. God was never talked about in my family. Sure, I heard a couple of my friends mention that they went to CCD in junior high but I never knew what that actually meant. My friends and I were always too focused on popularity, good grades, and our latest wardrobe purchase to even wonder if I was really missing out on anything. How did someone like me be blessed enough to have a chance to hear how much God loved me in the first place? Obviously, God had a bigger plan for me than I ever had for myself. A second chance. It never mattered the background and culture that I was born into and it still will never matter what past I have or what trouble I may end up in. God continually fights for my heart and freely gives second chances.

With focusing on Thanksgiving the past few days and what I truly am thankful for, I am thankful for second chances. I have a God who wants to give me confidence in being a beautiful daughter of the King who is precious and worth infinitely more than I could ever imagine. I have amazing friends who continually love me and forgive my flaws, friends who shower me with second chances when I allow my selfishness and pride to take over. I have been blessed with acquaintances and strangers in my life who have shown me respect and grace when I never deserved it just because of second chances. I have a family who continues to give me support with whatever crazy decision I am wrestling with at the time whether it is changing colleges for a third time, going to a third world country, or living a life for Jesus that they do not understand and consider a little freakish. I am continually given second chances by so many people each day and I would be lying if I said I didn't take them for granted. 

So, as God promises to hear our requests, I am asking for yet another second chance. I want to continue living in love. Loving others despite their flaws, I also have many. Loving strangers through the battle of life, it's not always easy. Loving family despite the distance even in one home, time is too short not to. Loving those who have disappointed or hurt me, I disappoint and hurt others as well. Most importantly, loving God and fighting for faith in living to please God instead of men will be more rewarding than anything ever in this life. I pray for second chances and that they will be focused on serving the Lord instead of myself so that there will continually be more light than darkness in this world.

God is light--in Him there is no darkness at all....But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. -1 John 1:5,7

One of my favorite songs right now is 'Redeemed' by Big Daddy Weave because it continually reminds me who we truly are in Christ. I encourage you to take the time to reflect on the lyrics and the redemption and second chance that God is wanting to bless you with. All you have to do is be willing to allow God to redeem you. Click on the link below =)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSyLqbP8Z4I