Do-Over

Fleceia Comeaux

READY

“Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back?’” — Jeremiah 8:4

SET

My junior year in high school was one for the books. We got a new basketball coach, and she brought discipline, vision, and hope. As with most new things, we were full of excitement and anticipation. We worked hard, played harder, bought in, and soon brought home the first district championship in the school’s history. This year would be our first playoff appearance.

So much of what we were experiencing we had never seen or been a part of before. We were ignorant of the things ahead of us but hungry to move past the things behind us. We quickly made it through the first four rounds of the playoffs, pressing and running by our opponents. And then we settled

in to play the number two team in our area for a chance to go to the state tournament. They were good, but today we needed to be better.

The game went back and forth, and with five seconds left, we were ahead by two points. Only five seconds kept us from the state tournament and a run at a state championship; we picked them up on defense full court to keep their shooters from getting any open looks. With one second left, their best player threw up a prayer from half court and missed everything. But then there was a whistle, a foul called and three shots given.

We lost that game, but it strengthened my resolve, and the next year I came back with a made-up mind. I will make this do-over count! If you’re given a second chance, what would you do with it?

GO  

• Have you ever needed a do-over?  
• What did you do with the second chance?

WORKOUT

Lamentations 3:22–23; Psalm 94:19

OVERTIME

"God teach me to get back up every time I fail or fall, and may I always remember You are the God of second chances. When doubts fill my mind, let Your comfort give me renewed hope and cheer. Amen."