Today I met a buddy for lunch. He's someone who I can confide in and knows my dark side. We meet for lunch to hangout, vent, sharpen each other and be real with each other. Something struck me though when we were talking today that I had to share with you. We were doing the normal banter at first such as "How's your wife? How are your kids?" and then we dove right into the "nitty gritty." One of the topics that was brought up was our kids education since both our older kids are starting Kindergarten this Fall and will be attending the same school. What was brought up and what came out of my mouth actually surprised me. I know that may be hard for some of you to fathom, but it's true. Anyone who knows me knows that I get all sweaty, nervous and short of breath when I have to spend money. So while we discussing schools and taxes and costs of school, I said "We only get one good chance to be a good parent." I thought about that statement the rest of lunch and the car ride home.
We only get one good chance to be a good parent and to be a positive influence on our kids while they are still living under our roof. I only get one good chance to provide my children with the best education that I can give them. I only get one good chance to be a good dad. I only get one good chance to be a good husband. Some of you may think you have multiple good chances, but you really don't have that one good chance after it's gone. Let me give you an example. When I was about 10 years old, I saw my mom kiss the guy who lived next door to us. She knew that I saw them and asked me to keep it a secret from my dad. Needless to say, my dad found out that my mom had committed adultery and her one good chance was gone. They stayed married until my dad died at the old age of 43, but it was never the same relationship after that. There were arguments and the past was ALWAYS brought up. Their one good chance was gone. Oh, it could be mended. With prayer, Godly counsel, a strong core group of friends, and most of all Christ's love, it would have been repaired, but not without the scar to prove it. We all have scars, and many of us have ruined our one good chance. Don't get me wrong. We have all been given multiple chances. I have many scars to prove that, but I ruined many one good chances.
You only get one good chance to be a good parent, a good spouse, a good child, a good friend, and a good co-worker. I have my vices. I struggle with each category. BUT, I have been given Grace from God above. I am my toughest critic, but God loves me regardless. With the help of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I can use my one chance to do better.
In Conclusion, I get one good chance. I don't know when I will take my last breath. So, what am I going to do with my one good chance? What will you do with your one good chance? I don't want to make this sound like a guilt trip. I just want you to think about it. Because of the blood of Jesus, we get a second chance, a third chance, etc., etc. The blood of Jesus shouldn't be used as a get out of jail free card. Learn from your mistakes and use the past as a spring board to get back up. I tell people that I may fall, but as long as I fall forward then it's still in the right direction. So, onward fellow soldiers, and use the one good chance, or the many other chances to be a better person.
In Him,
Jimmy
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