Getting it Right: Part One

Do you believe in Second Chances?

I rely on them.  Not because I don't try hard, but because I simply don't get it right the first time around.  I'm thankful when I do get a second chance.  And, when I do, I try to make the most of it.

I have five children.  Lots of second chances given.  It's rewarding, as a parent, to see children take advantage of those second-chance opportunities.  I'm also a High School teacher.  Trust me, High School students need second chances.  Sometimes third ones.

There have been times throughout my career in which I've needed a second chance.  I did something wrong the first time around, or I just didn't understand the gravity of the situation.  I needed a re-do. There's nothing like getting a second chance to get something right, and then actually getting it right.

And, there have been similar times in my marriage.  Sometimes, I miss the gravity of the moment.  Other times, I'm too caught up in my own life that I miss what my wife is needing.  This week, I tried to do something special, but I missed the mark.  I needed an opportunity for a re-do.  And I got one!

My wife works hard at our marriage, and she has spent a lot of time and energy helping me through some personal issues.  I wanted to make her feel special.  I wanted her to know how incredibly thankful I am for what she's doing for me.  So, I decided to have some flowers delivered to her.

One morning, during my conference period, I called the local Flower Shop and ordered a nice, fresh arrangement.  She asked what I wanted on the card.  These are the moments I screw up.  "What do you want on the card?"  Honestly, I hadn't thought through that part.  So, hurriedly, I said, "just write 'You're the best.'  She'll know they're from me."

Uhmm ... she had no idea they were from me.  Truth is, she has several friends who send her things every now and then.  She's even had friends send her flowers ... from our local flower shop!  She had NO IDEA they were from me.  The generic, anonymous card backfired.  Which means, she didn't get to truly enjoy them as a gift from me, her husband.  In fact, she sat around secretly wishing they were from me, but thinking they weren't.  Which resulted in the opposite of what I originally intended!

Ugh!  I needed a second chance.

And that evening, my wife said something that caught my attention.  "I wish [the local flower shop] could just deliver them again!"

And there was my second chance.

I leave for school each morning before anyone else is awake.  On my way out the door, I grabbed the arrangement of flowers.  During my conference period, I walked into the flower shop.  "I have a weird request.  I need you to re-deliver some flowers."  I wish I had my camera ready.  The look I received was ... indescribable.  I grabbed a card.  I wrote how I felt about my wife.  I wrote her nickname on the envelope.  I wrote my pet-name for her on the card.  I paid the delivery fee.  AGAIN.  (I was a dollar short and had to go out to my car and get some change out of the console!)

And I got it right.  Second chance realized.

Use any second chance that you get.  If you get a third one, use it too!  If you messed something up, or you tried to do something good but missed the mark, then do it again and get it right.  Do it a third time or more, if necessary.  The point is: keep working until you get it right.