Second Chances
Maybe a lot of things in life are “one chancers” but thankfully I think a lot of times we do get opportunities to redo, fix, learn from, and essentially recircle around to eventually getting things right.
Yesterday was one of those times – It was early in the morning, I had lots of things on my mind, million of things on my to do list, felt overwhelmed by responsibilities and demands for my energy and time – I was feeling burnt out! I got up early so I could have an early start and some time to myself. Decided to grab a quick coffee and as I was going through the drive-through there was a homeless person holding a sign up explaining his plight, looking very cold, and asking for help.
I immediately felt frustrated by yet another demand, another need, another expectation, another problem to fix; thinking the last time I had offered a coffee they had refused my offer. The line moved quickly and so my contemplation and uncomfortableness over how I should respond quickly passed. The vehicle in front of me picked up their order and rolled on through just as the homeless man, who had been standing outside at the back of the restaurant, happened to be going in the front door to warm up. Just like that, the car in front of me stopped, rolled down their window and gave him their entire order.
I immediately felt very disappointed in myself and my lack of compassion and generosity. The situation played over and over in my mind that day and I wondered if I’d get a chance to see him again.
The very next day I was running around doing some errands. As I came out of the drug store the same homeless fellow was hanging around warming up in the store entrance. I couldn’t believe it!!! Here it was-my chance to do something differently! I went back into the store and bought him a box of Valentine’s chocolates. As I walked towards him I smiled, sat down beside him, apologized about yesterday, gave him the chocolates, wished him a Happy Valentine’s Day, and shared a hug filled with gratitude for the opportunity to redo my missed opportunity from yesterday.
I don’t always get things right the first time, in fact I honestly often don’t!!
But thank goodness for the grace of second chances.
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