Some things in life are such that we can try over and over in order to get better at it or finally get it right. Sports are that way; we practice and play over and over until the playoffs and then practice is over and you win or lose. No second chances then. But there are some things where we are only given one chance, and if we fail, we fail, and that is it. For example: You never get a second chance to make a ‘first impression.’ I remember many times, as a youth, hearing the phrase, “Come on give me a second chance” or “Give me one more chance.” Anytime we are given a challenge and we miss the first time around, we will always want a second chance. We always think that we will do better with one more try. Someone disagreed with that assumption, however, by saying, “Second chances, they don’t matter, people never change.” Even though we may frequently be disappointed in second chance results, most of us want to believe that people have the capacity to change.
Some young people sometimes feel that they will never be given a decent chance to succeed in the town where they were raised because of some errors they made. They feel that the only hope they have for another (second) chance is to go some other place where no one knows them. ‘Mike and the Mechanics’ recorded a song, “Everybody Gets A Second Chance” with these lyrics: “A little stumble, A little fall, Everybody wants a, Everybody needs a, Everybody gets a second chance.”
Because we are all human second chances are important especially when a persons future may be at stake. Consider a person just being paroled from prison for example. Former President George W. Bush said, “America is the land of the second chance—and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” It would be nice if they could be told that, their second chance is ‘a clean slate.’ That, however, is not the case. Their parole officer will remind them of that every time they meet.
There are a lot of organizations that use words ‘second chance’ in their titles, because their purpose is usually related to giving someone a second chance. A few are listed below: ‘The Second Chance’ mission is to retrain and create employment for displaced and unemployed workers in deconstruction methods; reclaim building material to reduce demolition debris overloading landfills; and renew materials to preserve the region’s rich architectural heritage. At ‘Second Chance’ animal control, our priority is finding the best match for each family. Animals, like people, are individuals and have different requirements for a successful adoption, according to their personalities.
I was watching a commercial on TV the other night, advertising an animal adoption organization, and they showed several pictures of dogs and cats who were currently in their shelter and they had the most pitiful and lonely look on their faces and in their eyes.
Another is ‘Second Chance Auto’—persons who have filed bankruptcy can buy a car, but they have to have a large amount to put down and huge interest rates.
In this great country of ours, marriage is held in high regard, and the family is considered the glue that holds the country together. Statistically, however, nearly one in every two marriages ends in divorce. Broken couples sometimes cause broken families and problem children. Henry David Thoreau said, “All discarded lovers should be given a second chance…” A second chance at love, but it may not be with the former lover. Second marriages to the same person often do not work. Why? Too often for the reason mentioned above. “Second chances, they don’t matter, people never change.” Couples tend to slip back into their former habits, those that annoyed their partner the first time around.
But, “Everybody Gets A Second Chance: “A little stumble, A little fall, Everybody wants a, Everybody needs a, Everybody gets a second chance.” May Heavenly Father bless us with our second chances.”