Can I Have a Do Over

“Mimi, can I have a do over?”

One of my precious grandson’s and I were playing pool in the game room. He had a perfect shot to get the orange ball in the corner pocket. But, he missed.  It was just the two of us playing, and I decided a great time for him to practice. “Of course you can,” I encouraged the six year old; thinking to myself what a great way for him to learn from his mistake. “Put the ball back where it was and try again.” 

Have You Ever Wished for a Do Over

I can ‘t count the times I’ve reflected on something I’ve done or said and wished I could go back and do it over. I wouldn’t have said the harsh words. I would have been more relaxed and not as controlling. I would have trusted God’s timing and not been so worried. I would have placed my laptop in a safe place so if my water bottle tipped, it wouldn’t have sloshed water onto my computer. Big things. Little things. I doubt there’s anyone who feels they’ve done it all right one hundred percent of the time. 

God Gives Us Do Overs

I love my grandchildren and don’t get angry with them when they’re learning to crack an egg and it goes everywhere except in the bowl. Or when they water my garden and point the hose to my clean windows instead of the ground. I have patience with them because I understand they’re children and they’re learning. God, our Heavenly Father, loves us, His children. He doesn’t get mad when we’re learning to work, learning to manage our finances, learning to be married, or learning how to raise children. He gives us do overs. 

How Well Are We Doing with Our Do Overs

My grandson and I talked about why he missed the corner pocket. He wasn’t lined up right. He let me help him get in the right position. He listened when I pointed out what he was doing wrong. He concentrated and took advantage of the do over so he could get it right. 

We are wise to learn from our mistakes; when we miss the target of pleasing God with right relationships, pure thoughts, and responsible behavior.  Following are ways to take advantage of “do overs” God gives us: 

1. Talk to God as my grandson did with me. He didn’t make excuses. He missed the mark. We miss the mark. Be honest. 
2. Ask God for a do over. It’s not always possible to get an exact do over. A person may have died. A job be closed. But, we can ask God for the opportunity to make things right. We can handle future situations His ways.
3. Line ourselves up with Christ’s teachings. My grandson listened to me. He let me put my hands on his shoulder and align him correctly. We can read our Bibles and let God’s words move us so we’re rightly aligned to Him and others. 

In what way have we missed the mark and wish we could have a do over? 

God’s grace and mercy are new every morning. It’s not too late. It’s never too late to begin doing the right thing.

Has God ever given you a “do over”? If so, what did you learn from the experience? You can post your comment below.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us and for giving us do overs. In Jesus’s name, amen.

“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you,” Philippians 4:9