“There goes the bus!”
Like the bell in a firehouse, that announcement ignited an instant response in the Grubb household: cereal spoons were flung aside, bowls became drinking glasses, combs assaulted cowlicks and loose-leaf papers were shuffled into duct-taped, dog-eared books. It was every man for himself!
At any other home, that announcement would surely have meant someone missed the school bus—but in my childhood home, it meant my brothers and I had just entered a period of grace. See, we were the next to last house on our bus route. The school bus rumbled past our house on its way to our neighbors, where it would turn around and come back for us. This routine afforded us a glorious ten-minute cushion. Think of that! We were granted a second chance to catch the bus every morning of our entire school career!
Our home, high on a hill, made us feel like land barons, kings of the hill. Before Ol’ #4 passed by the first time, it stopped at the bottom of our hill to pick up the Williams’ kids, coming to a dead stop before beginning its arduous climb in creeper gear. Wheezing and whining its way up the steep grade like an overloaded mule, it finally exhaled as Willy, the driver, shifted into a higher gear. The Blue Flame six-cylinder caught its breath and coasted down the opposite side. It had its own voice and we had tuned our ears to its distinctive song—a song I can replay in mind even today.
Growing up in the far reaches of Berne Township was a wonderful experience… but it wasn’t entirely without its problems. We were one the first to board each morning, but the last to get off each evening. We logged an hour and a half of bus time daily. On the up side, the funky little ‘47 Chevrolet bus provided a rolling study hall. Mom never fully believed I had already completed my homework by the time I arrived home!
These memories flooded back as I stopped and waited for a school bus to turn around the other day. Funny, isn’t it, how memories instantly replay in our minds like a YouTube video, while other related memories patiently wait for you to click on them? I thought of our old bus driver. He was a wonderfully kind man who would personally purchase and prepare individual gift sacks with candies and fruits for each of us at Christmas. Then and still now, his thoughtfulness was so very special to me.
This Thanksgiving, tap into your own memories. Allow them to remind you of the immeasurable grace you’ve received. Like my second chance each morning to catch the bus, I’ll bet you’ve had many second chances afforded you by friends, relatives, and particularly the Lord. Even our salvation is a second chance, isn’t it?
Lord, your undeniable patience toward me often escapes my awareness. I’m so quick to complain and demand justice when I’ve been wronged, but I just as quickly forget (or overlook) the grace you’ve given me and the judgment you’ve lovingly withheld. Particularly during this Thanksgiving season, grant me the ability to recognize my second chances and to extend grace to those around me. Amen.
Read John 3:1-8
- Being born again is the ultimate second chance, don’t miss the bus. Are you on board?
- What does Nicodemus do that indicates he missed the bus?
- Jesus offers each of us the opportunity to be born again. How is that a second chance?
- If the final bus came for you today, would you be ready?
Read Daniel 3 (an incredible story of second chances!)
- Describe at least two second chances afforded Daniel and his friends.
- Second chances aren’t always for the good. What are some second chances Daniel and company refused?
- What was the reasoning of Daniel and his friends when they refused their second chance?
- Daniel chose against a second chance to save his life (vs. 15) and what happened?
- Can you relate to Daniel?
- Name a situation in which you had a second chance.
Read Luke 22:31-34, Luke 22:54-62 and John 21: 15-19
- Jesus knew Peter was going to deny Him, yet He still prayed for him (Luke 22:32). How do you pray for those who are capable of hurting you?
- Can you imagine the look exchanged between Peter and Jesus in Luke 22:61? How do you think your behavior would change if you could look into the Lord’s eyes?
- Peter denied Jesus three times, and Jesus restored Peter three times (John 21:15-19). Is it easy for you to offer others this kind of second—or even third!—chance?
- Read Matthew 18:21-22. How many chances did Jesus say we should offer others? Do you think Peter has a new appreciation for Jesus’ answer? Do you need that many chances?
- Read 1 Peter 3:13-16. Peter’s reaction in Luke 22:54-62 was quite opposite from advice he later gave in 1 Peter 3:13-16. What do you think Peter learned having been given a second chance? What have you learned from your second chances?