Day 173. Second Chances.

Some days are so stressful that the opportunity to get away is a gift that cannot be refused.  We recently had one of those days.  And we are thankful that we have a little piece of heaven to escape to. 

While there we did quite a bit of fishing.  This trip was Paul’s turn to catch.  He’d throw a line in and it would come back with a fish almost every time.  I did not have such luck or talent.  Saturday, he caught a fish that broke his line and got away with his lure, line and all.  Sunday morning, just when I was about to call it a day, I caught a fish.  But not just any fish…the very same fish that Paul had caught the day before, with the lure still in its jaw.  So Paul got both lures out of its mouth and freed him.  That first lure would have eventually killed him, but because he was willing to open up one more time, he found life. 

Most all of us are given second chances at some point in our lives.  Whether as a sinner saved by grace, our health, our finances, our relationships, or as a fish with a lure stuck in its jaw.  Our God is a God of second chances.   He is merciful and gracious and loving and patient.  And He always has a plan. 

The morning of our unexpectedly stressful day, my devotional said,

“Go gently through this day, keeping your eyes on Me.  I will open the way before you as you take steps of trust along your path.  Sometimes the way appears to be blocked.  If you focus on the obstacle or search for a way around it, you will probably go off course.  Instead, focus on Me, the Shepherd who is leading you on this life journey.

When the road looks rocky, you can trust Me to get you through.  My Presence enables you to face each day with confidence.”

I then read the passage about the Good Shepherd in John 10:14-15,

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Isaiah 26:7  “The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.”

Proverbs 24:16  “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”

Job 33:29 “God does all these things to a person—twice, even three times—“

Thank God for second chances.  And for fish.