The Ripple Effectનમૂનો

DAY 4 — Everyone Needs a Second Chance

Scripture:

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
— Ephesians 1:7

During my early years, I really was a good kid, but in high school I started hanging out with the wrong crowd instead of kids who took their faith seriously. Over time, I took on their values, habits, and lifestyle. I was doing a lot of things I shouldn’t have—and one day it caught up with me.

I’ll never forget one night when I was 17, sitting at the dinner table with my dad, mom, and older brother. My dad confronted me about a sin I had committed. I owned up to my poor choices and took responsibility. Believe me, because of what I’d been doing, I should have been grounded for a year! But after our “come-to-Jesus” meeting, I still asked if I could go out that night. How ludicrous!

The next thing that happened changed my life forever.
My dad looked me in the eye and said, “Hal, I believe in you. I believe you have what it takes. Just be in tonight by 11 o’clock.”
Wow. It was my defining moment.

Grace is unmerited favor—getting what you don’t deserve. And the grace my dad extended to me that day changed my life forever.

Have you experienced a second chance in your life? Have you extended grace to those who have hurt you? Can you let go of wrongs done to you by family, friends, or coworkers? The grace you extend may be a defining moment. It may change their lives—and yours—forever.

“When grace moves in, guilt moves out.”
— Max Lucado