Second Chances

I recall last year meeting a man named Tom at the park.  Tom and I had something in common, we were both dads. We talked a bit that day about our jobs, the area, and a little bit about this and that. Most of our conversation though, was spent talking about our children.

Tom related to me that years ago he visited a poor orphanage in the Ukraine- in fact, it was the poorest orphanage in the country. He illustrated to me how he saw many children living in less than desirable conditions. While there, he saw a baby that was literally left alone in the corner. The baby was ill, untreated, underfed, and left alone to die. The baby was classified as FTT, or "Failure to Thrive". 

Tom had compassion on the baby and adopted him.  For the baby, all it took was one bottle of medicine to help him start the recovery and head in a whole new direction in life.

That baby that he adopted was with us that day in the park…only he was then a healthy, happy, bike-riding 7 year old boy.  Praise God for second chances!

Sometimes in our lives, we also find ourselves left alone and abandoned with what appears to be no hope.  But in truth, like the little baby, we too have the hope of adoption into a life of joy, forgiveness, and peace.

God the Father has compassion on those with no hope and wants to adopt them into His family. This new life as a member of His family begins only when we we follow and place our faith in His Son Jesus Christ.  

If you are finding a "Failure to Thrive" in your life, submit your life to God. You'll gain the second chance that you long for.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11