Second Chances

"For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee" (Isaiah 54:10).

How many times in your life have you wished to go back in time to do something over? Maybe you wouldn't have bought that expensive car, chosen that college, or passed up an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus. All of us would like a "do over" in something.

Praise God, He is a God of second chances. He forgave David of his sin with Bathsheba and continued to use him as king over Israel. After Moses tried to deliver God's people his way, God brought Moses back to Egypt to lead His people to the Promised Land. Jonah reached the sinful city of Ninevah with the message of repentance after first disobeying and running away from God.

If you feel like a homeschooling failure, this message is for you. Don't give up! Pray and ask the Lord to show you how to homeschool. Try a different curriculum or change your daily schedule. Homeschooling is flexible. Start over and find a routine that works for your family. God will help you again. "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Jesus, my heart cries out to You today. I've been homeschooling on my own for too long. Show me again the right way to teach my children. In Your name, Amen.

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Comments(15 comments)

SISTER L 09/17/2008 15:54:56

Thank you for this message. I needed this!

CHERYL S 09/10/2009 06:33:58

Praise God that His mercies ARE new every morning and that He DOES offer us second chances!! What a comfort it is to live daily with these promises!!

I am grateful to AOA and thankful to God for them as well ~ they have provided us with a "second chance" to succeed at homeschooling!!

Cheryl S.

SANDRA G 09/10/2009 08:09:33

Thank You so much for your message today, I am so thankful to God for second chances

Sandy G..

CONNIE R 09/10/2009 12:58:27

Not only do I thank him for second chances, but third, fourth, and fifth too!! Had it not been for all the chances he gives me on a daily basis, I would not be able to praise him today. What a forgiving GOD we serve. Thank you father for overlooking my faults and failures and loving me anyway.

Connie R.

CARL A 09/10/2009 19:08:02

First let me say there is never a devotional here that does not touch me in a meaningful way. What an encouragement to know God does not leave us in our past mistakes! It is an important reminder for me to constantly let my kids know this too and grasp at an early age how deep God's forgiveness goes to ALL of us.

SABRINA P 09/11/2009 04:00:42

I have not been reading the devotionals but the Lord had me up early this morning for a reason! I thank you the Lord for this devotion and reminding me of what He has called me to do! What a great encouragement you may never know what that meant to me! Thank you

Sabrina P

TAMMY U 09/19/2009 02:55:14

Thank you for this reminder!! We appreciate these devotionals so much!!

DEAN L 09/11/2011 17:13:17

Thank you for this. I started homeschooling both kids this year and was feeling maybe I had made a wrong choice. But the knowledge that God gives s second chance has helped me to start fresh tomorrow.

DAWN N 09/10/2012 05:54:21

Yes! I certainly need reminded of this. We are begniing our 12th year of homeschooling and I need God's guidance EVERY DAY! How could we think we are "experts" at doing this when each child is a unique creation, complete with their own giftings, strengths, learniing style, and yes, sin nature, quirks and failings.

My own fear often paralyzes me when I focus on what seems impossible. But when I look to the God who MADE these children and who knows everything about me, then I am plugged in to the perfect inexhaustible resource!

Amen! God bless us all with the self-control to walk with Him each day.

With love

PAMELA R 09/10/2012 06:05:17

Looking back. I do that too often! God blesses us, even when we feel like we've failed. Thank you for the reminders and the encouragement through these devotionals.

KATHY S 09/10/2012 15:06:46

Every day a \"New Adventure\" for us. \"FLEXIBLE\" is a word that is in use 24/7 here.

But, it does work for us. And I feel as though God does give me a fresh chance to improve in my teaching and my son to improve in his work each and everyday.

Thank you Jesus for your never ending patience,teaching, and love. Amen.

Carylin Holsey 09/10/2013 14:36:30

I am new to homeschooling (3 weeks) and "I" want to give up already. This message was right on time. I am going to follow the Lords lead and give myself another chance. This is hard for me as I always press to exceed expectations, to feel I have hit a cement wall. This is the day of a new beginning with Him, Again! Amen.

KATHY SPIELER 09/10/2013 14:36:58

I don't know if anyone reads anymore, but, even though I read this last year, and wrote the above, this year is a whole new ballgame. I really needed to read this devotional this morning. I needed to hear that I am forgiven for all my sins. I needed to hear that God will help me thru this homeschooling process, and that I am not alone trying to teach my child 9th grade work. Because I have been feeling quite alone. Thank you for this reminder, I guess it is never to late, and you can never hear words from God too many times!

TERESA SULLIVAN 09/11/2013 13:25:31

Carlin This is my 2nd year of homeschooling. I still struggle with unrealistic expectations. Especially if I think what all they need to learn, and they just "have to learn this by a certain deadline". I have to just be steady, make sure that a concept is learned (if possible) before proceeding, and know, home is where my kids belong. Most things take a lot longer than one thinks, and sometimes this includes learning new concepts. As my kids learn the basics thoroughly, I am hopeful they will pick up in speed. I am seeing this now in my youngest. She is learning so much with a significant increase in speed. I put a lot of time into her last year. My oldest- in the 8th grade now, is struggling a little. But she did not get as much attention from me last year. I try to avoid saying "we are behind in schedule" or in any way imply she is not doing well. She is working hard, allowing me to help, coming to me for help. I am confident my "steady and kind" approach will have her proficient by the end of the year. If, I can get her more interested in learning, that is. I have caught her reading a book for leisure without being instructed!!! She writes careful notes in her notebooks. To keep up with her papers, she leaves all work in her notebooks for me to grade. This is not to say we are perfect. The 8th grader started to have a meltdown this AM. Instead of yelling she went into her room saying "I need 5 minutes to calm down". And I had to force myself not to nag her for 5 minutes. I gave her the space and time. She eventually returned and worked hard the rest of the day

I have changed our afternoon schedule, and cut back some on what I teach, in the hopes of increasing retention.

It is hard work, but there is not greater work than this. Just focus on getting through the day, and end on a bright spot, a game, a laugh, maybe a funny TV show.

Susie Crosby 09/15/2014 19:43:31

I know the Lord is speaking through you. Your messages are always timely!


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