It's 1:00 am and as I am still awake there is something comforting about knowing all my loves are sleeping, allowing their bodies and minds a chance to rest and heal from yesterday and be ready for today (which comes in just a few short hours). I've always been night owl however I am in a family of early risers so I rarely see these hours of the night.
As I lay thinking about the day, the week, the month, and the start of this new year (which can you believe it's now March, crazy) I keep thinking about how hard last year was in so many areas for my kids, for me, and for my friends. Then I did what I always like to do on a new day and looked at the memories on Facebook. I love looking back at the old memories.
Facebook reminded me that on this day 7 years ago our first set of foster kiddos went home to live with their mom and brothers. I remember having a myriad of emotions, but mostly excited for a mom who was getting a second chance to be a mom. My heart ached because I knew I would miss her babies who we had loved and cared for over the last 9 months but they were her children and her family was given a second chance.
Tonight as I tucked my son in to bed, we talked about his day. Something was hard. He was treated unfairly. We talked about how it made him feel but that everyone has bad days. Tomorrow is a new day for a new chance for a better day for him and a better day for the other person as well.
Both of these stories have reminded me tonight of God. I think we sometimes forget just how much He forgives us and how much He allows for second, third, fourth, etc chances. He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Duet 31:6). He promises His mercies are new each morning (Lam 3:23) and that He forgives as much as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12).
And though I at times do not want to give anymore chances to others or feel I do not deserve any more chances myself, when I separate from friends or family (which is necessary at times but still it hurts) or they separate from me, I can rest in the promise that nothing separates me from Gods love. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39).
Because of His love we should want to do better, to forgive others, to forgive our self. His love will meet you in your hurt and give you joy in the unlikely times. His love gives you a chance.
Thankful for chances? I am.
As I lay thinking about the day, the week, the month, and the start of this new year (which can you believe it's now March, crazy) I keep thinking about how hard last year was in so many areas for my kids, for me, and for my friends. Then I did what I always like to do on a new day and looked at the memories on Facebook. I love looking back at the old memories.
Facebook reminded me that on this day 7 years ago our first set of foster kiddos went home to live with their mom and brothers. I remember having a myriad of emotions, but mostly excited for a mom who was getting a second chance to be a mom. My heart ached because I knew I would miss her babies who we had loved and cared for over the last 9 months but they were her children and her family was given a second chance.
Tonight as I tucked my son in to bed, we talked about his day. Something was hard. He was treated unfairly. We talked about how it made him feel but that everyone has bad days. Tomorrow is a new day for a new chance for a better day for him and a better day for the other person as well.
Both of these stories have reminded me tonight of God. I think we sometimes forget just how much He forgives us and how much He allows for second, third, fourth, etc chances. He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Duet 31:6). He promises His mercies are new each morning (Lam 3:23) and that He forgives as much as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12).
And though I at times do not want to give anymore chances to others or feel I do not deserve any more chances myself, when I separate from friends or family (which is necessary at times but still it hurts) or they separate from me, I can rest in the promise that nothing separates me from Gods love. “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39).
Because of His love we should want to do better, to forgive others, to forgive our self. His love will meet you in your hurt and give you joy in the unlikely times. His love gives you a chance.
Thankful for chances? I am.
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