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10 Minutes Peace
by Susan McGrath
Though I don't remember calling them that as a kid, that's what they were - do-overs. When we played a game and didn't like the outcome, cries of "that's not fair" and "that doesn't count" would be followed by a free chance at another try. A do-over.
I can think of many times in recent years I would have liked a do-over, but in the real world they're hard to come by. As grown-ups we just have to live with the result the first time around. Otherwise we'd be re-doing business deals and fender-benders and, yes, even ballgames.
But the good news is that God still allows do-overs. Sometimes even more than one. Not for those physical things that have already happened, but in our spiritual mess-ups.
Now, we have to remember this is not a free pass to sin and sin some more. This is grace, given at a great price - the blood of Jesus Christ, to allow us to mature and make a better decision the next time.
Sometimes when I find myself asking God's forgiveness for a sin that plagues me, I wonder, "How many times will he forgive me for this?" The answer is as many times as it takes. When my heart is repentant, God knows. He also knows that my flesh is weak and I may fall back into that pit of bad decisions once more.
Do-over!
Our God is awesome! I mean, even though Jesus said we were to forgive seventy-seven times (in other words, without counting), I can't imagine continuing to forgive someone who has hurt me thousands of times. Yet that's just what God does for me every day.
What a hopeful way to start the new year. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
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a recovering journalist trying to encourage others and glorify God through writing;
living the small-town life with husband Tim and sons Lincoln, 12, and Sawyer, 6;
completing a few put-off writing projects while using chocolate for therapy.
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