Listen Now
Dear friend,
Were you ever playing kickball when someone suddenly shouted, “Do-over!”? The game stopped, some shouting went on between teams, but finally it was agreed that someone got to kick the ball again and start over fresh.
In life, we often wish we’d get do-overs. Sometimes we do, but in other cases, the chance for a do-over has passed us by.
There’s a faint theme running through this issue: the opportunity for do-overs.
When it comes to job interviews, our writer Delicia suggests that practicing an interview is key to a good interview. Practicing creates space for legit do-overs with no penalties. This is true in sports, music, cooking, and so many other activities in our daily lives.
Then Ebony’s article takes us deep into emotions as she writes about never getting the apology you feel you deserve. Read her story to understand how to work through that hurt and forgive anyway. That may be a private do-over, but it has great rewards.
Julieta’s article reveals the one thing you can do during the summer that can have lasting impact for your child. It seems to me the chance for a do-over is both a “Yes” and a “No” on this subject. The average summer vacation is 45-60 days, and if you miss a day or two, you can have a do-over with no penalty. But if you ignore her concern for the children and never pick up a book with your child, there are no do-overs. It’s impossible to reach back years and do over a child’s summer. Julieta fears that your child will pay for what you didn’t do because the time to make a difference has passed you by.
Then we have the sponsored article by her.Bible. How does that connect to do-overs?
Glad you asked. I am so happy to tell you that all throughout the Bible there are stories of women and men whose lives got messed up – yet God gave them do-overs. Now, you won’t find the term “do-over” in the Bible, but look up the story of Ruth and Naomi in the book of Ruth. They got do-overs. So did the prostitute Rahab in Joshua chapter 2. Several other women were shamed because of their lifestyles, yet Jesus gave each one an opportunity for a do-over. Perhaps the most famous from Jesus’ day was Mary Magdalene, who is mentioned throughout the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Despite her past, she became the first person Jesus spoke to after he rose from the dead, which makes her quite special.
The word the Bible uses that you can substitute for “do-over” is grace. The beauty of grace would fill books and books and books. I can assure you that God’s grace is offered to you. May you find peace and joy in knowing that God is in the business of causing lasting do-overs because of His everlasting grace.
Because of His great love,
