Vol. 17 No. 38 | September 22, 2014
I mowed the lawn at the house we recently moved from for 5th last time. We listed our house last fall and were confident it would sell. So as winter approached I mowed the lawn with confidence that it would be the last time. It was not.
Spring came, the grass grew, the house had not sold, I started mowing. I mowed through the spring, then through the summer, and then early fall arrived and I was still mowing. We signed the papers on the sale and were expected to close within two weeks, so I mowed thinking that would be the last time. The closing was delayed, so I mowed again for the 3rd last time, then again, and finally last week I mowed for the 5th last time. I am optimistic (again) that that was the last time. We’ll see.
As I finished up and swept off the driveway, I thought of other things that are done multiple last times.
There was the time in college when we thought, “This is the last of these lectures I will ever have to sit through.” A low grade (a really low grade) gave us the opportunity to repeat the class (American Literature for me) the next semester.
There is that habit of eating too much, or eating those late night snacks, or eating whether you are hungry or not. “I will never eat that much food again.” “I am not going to eat that late in the day ever again.” It worked…until the next time…and then the next.
There are those sins you have asked forgiveness for over and over again. “That’s the last time I will click that site.” “That’s the last time I will talk like that.” “I am going to learn to control my temper.” It worked. Until the next time.
In sports we make similar promises. “I’ll never hit a shot like that again.” “I’ll never swing at a pitch that far outside again.” “I’ll never let that guy drive around me toward the basket again.” Then, you did it again. Then, you did it again and again…then you did it again.
Then there are all those times when we said we were going to change our conversation. “I am not going to gossip ever again.” “I am going to stop being so negative and cynical and criticize so much.” “That is the last time I am going to get caught up in ‘the sky is falling and the whole world is going to the dogs’ conversation.” Then there’s the next last time, and the next, and still another last time.
Our friend, Peter, had some trouble with this. He told Jesus he would go where ever Jesus wanted him to go with Him. Jesus cautioned him on making such a bold claim, then told him he would deny him three times before the morning. I suspect when he denied Jesus the first time he promised he would never do it again. He did it again. And, he did it the third time.
The exceptionally good news is that after those three denials, Jesus offered him a completely restored relationship. He did that because God is a God of second chances, third chances, fourth chances and as many as it takes. He does not give up on us.
So if you find that you are on your first or second or third or fourth last time of doing something, or not doing something, keep trying. Maybe, just maybe, the next time will really be the last.
Tom
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