a confession of uncertainty

Partnering with People Of The Second Chance (POTSC), I am challenged to think radically--about Grace.

It's nice to say that we'd extend grace and give a second chance to anyone, but really?
Any. One?

Awhile ago I asked if you're give *her* a second chance--you know, the girl who the jury found not guilty and who many have posted about on facebook in horror that she's walking around free--Casey Anthony.

A few brave folks shared their thoughts with me. For most, the responses to my question were surrounded in Shame and Uncertainty. There were some who admitted that they just couldn't. 

For every person who took a moment to think about the question: I. Admire. You.

POTSC have released two more in their series of posters, asking the question How about him? Last week's was Mike Tyson. All I really know about this guy is that he has apparently abused his wife. News reports and gossip are my educators on his character. How can I judge? Even if I did know him, what can I say? 

This week's poster is Darth Vader. 

Though I honestly don't even know the character of Darth Vader, having survived 30-something years of never seeing Star Wars {gasp!}, I present the poster to you nonetheless. What I do know is that this villain received grace--the one thing that has impacted my life beyond anything.

It's hard to think introspectively about our personal ability to extend Grace. We all have feelings and perceptions, and it's just so hard not to judge--especially when our culture supports it.

When I posted the question about giving *her* a second chance, I didn't share my own thoughts. More than two fistfuls of days have passed since that post. And for the most part, it's been fairly quiet around here. I've done some living in the quiet and within those days the question has invited me to answer for myself.

I am not sure I want to give my Father another day with my heart. And yet, He's the keeper of it.

When I am honest with Him that I am mad He hasn't done what I think He should have done in me by now, He looks at me with Grace. He lets me feel that way.

And when I am not sure I could give *her* a second chance, or him, or even myself...
He steps in.

For years, God was my fantasy superhero. Never my villain, though, for I couldn't imagine considering Him as such.

Then my eyes were opened and I began to See God as my Father. And I was invited to be honest with a radical question.

What if the poster were of God?

For me, sometimes I {try} to hold hostage *another chance* for God to move in me, when really...He never leaves me alone and He keeps living.

Thank you, Father! It isn't You who ever needs another chance...it's always Me. 
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Would you give *her* a second chance?

We all have people who, {now that we've grown up a little bit}, we wish now we would have given a second chance, back then.

Then there are people who we say we'd give a second chance to, and that makes us feel good.

But what if they do something that seems unforgivable--completely unthinkable?

What then?

Forgiving and giving a second chance seems completely unfathomable, and justifiable.

I have raised up my hand in partnership with People of a Second Chance, and they've invited me to join them in their Never Beyond Posters Series. Here's what they wrote:

     We all have people we would and wouldn't give a second chance--lines drawn and beliefs
     formed about who we could forgive. 

     Right?

     POTSC is launching the NEVER BEYOND Poster Series: 25 posters representing well
     known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. 
     This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be
     displayed as a touring art exhibit.

     The campaign draws out themes of forgiveness, grace and what a pathway to a second
     chance looks like. 

So...here's our first one:

Casey Anthony.

She's free now. The jury found her not guilty.

• If you bumped into her while you were on your family vacation, what would you do? 
• If your daughter came home and said that her friend's cousin was Casey's daughter, what would you say?
• What if your son asked who Casey Anthony is, and why people think she should die, what would you say?
• What if she walked into your church, would you treat her as not guilty? 

Would you give her a second chance?

Why or why not?

This is a place of Grace, and your honest heart is welcome here.

Join the A {Grace} full *life* facebook community.