A second chance is not something that our society freely + willingly gives other people, even though we often are not shy about asking for it. People make mistakes + we {I} are not often quick to forgive + move forward. We tend to identify more with the Prodigal Son’s brother than with his father.
I have a flaw of holding people to a very high standard in life, often withholding the grace from them that was extended to me by so many people…and by Jesus. It took me quite some time to figure out why, but Mike Foster broke it all down + verified what I’d learned about myself. Because I’d had so many mistakes + sins in my life, I was determined to prevent others from making the same mistakes. Perhaps a novel on the surface, holding people to a standard of perfection doesn’t allow for the incredible power of grace + restoration.
Embrace your second chance.
“Fear, shame, and worthlessness have only the power that we give them.”
These things had a lot of power over me for a really long time. I was afraid that people would find out about my sins. I was ashamed of the mistakes that I’d made. I didn’t think that I was worthy of love + happiness in my life. I thought that my chance at being whole + happy was something unattainable. I gave so much power to the negativity in my own mind that I was on a path of self-loathing. As Mike shares, I was living through the 5 Condemnments:
- I don’t deserve a second chance.
- I am my shame. I am my secrets.
- I will always feel + be this way.
- I am defined by my worst moments.
- My life, my dreams, my hopes no longer matter.
ALL. LIES.
I was reminded that in order to live a fruitful life, I have to talk about these things + move into the promises of God. I have to accept + celebrate my kintsukuroi.
And here I am, sharing my mistakes with you to help you heal + hoping to help you find your second chance in life.
Our chance for hope lies in the loving hands of God.
“Without the stains + scars, hope is an afterthought. Without our imperfections, there is nothing to place in the hands of God.”
The most honest thing we can ever do is admit that we’re not perfect. That we don’t have it all together. It is the most freeing feeling to not have to walk around wearing the mask of perfection. When we are true with ourselves, God is seen more realistically.
When I forgave myself for my mistakes, it was like a whole new world was available to me. I embraced the fact that while my mistakes certainly shaped me, they could not define me. Not unless I let them. I learned that forgiveness of myself made it much easier to forgive others. To give us all a second chance.
Foster says, “…we should never be ashamed of how our story fits. We should never hide the {things} that make up our stories of grace. We rob each other of sacred friendship when we delete moments, erase characters, or censor the scandalous parts. But when we share them honestly, we help others breathe easier about whatever stories they have inside…these are holy moments.”
These words couldn’t have been more timely for me. I have opened up to a few friends over the course of this week + I can’t begin to tell you how freeing it was. It actually made those friendships so much stronger. And I know that without these conversations, we would still be tiptoeing around each other, missing out on the blessing of true connection.
Book Review
Overall, it was an incredible read. It was very straightforward, honest + real. It’s a book that I would recommend to anyone looking for healing + still trying to forgive themselves for past mistakes or hurts. In revealing his shame, the author inspires others with hope, reassuring us that our past will not define us if we don’t let it. It was written for a community of people looking for + granting others a second chance at life, but it was very stirring to my spirit. Even though I’ve participated in counseling services, this book made me realize that I still have work to do.
Book title: People of the Second Chance
Author: Mike Foster
Book Info: Hardback
Content Length: 213 pages {222 pages in entirety}
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
Leave a Reply