I made it. I can’t believe I am really here. It is more beautiful than I had ever imagined. The only problem is I can’t find a way inside.

I have walked up and down the fence as far as I could, but there is no entrance. What the heck? Why would I be allowed to be here but not be able to go inside?

That’s when I saw a figure in the distance walking toward me. I yelled; “hey buddy, think you can give me a boost over this gate? I can’t seem to find a way in.”

Then he got closer and I realized it was Jesus.  I don’t know if I was more embarrassed for calling him buddy or for not being able to find my way in.

“Hello, Rob” he said.

“Uh,”. That was all that would come out. The light that radiated from him was too much for me to bear.

I finally found my voice and asked where the entrance was.

He asked for me to take a walk with him. We went over the history of my life. The people I had helped, or should I say the people I had not helped.

Then he told me there wasn’t an entrance for me. I was so close. I had lived a good life, done many good things, but then he asked, “What have you done for me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you fed the hungry? Have you volunteered to help someone in need? Have you cared for the elderly?”

“Umm, I’ve been busy doing all these other things. You know, like working to pay bills, being active to stay fit, family time, etc. etc. not much free time, you know what I mean.”

“I think if you took a really long look at your life, you would see you had plenty of time and I gave you plenty of opportunities. You simply chose not to. For that, I cannot let you in.”

“But I did so much right,”  I started to say, but I knew he was right.

“Yes you did, and for that I will give you one more chance. I will send you back and give you one more chance. You need to make the most of it.”

Tears poured out of my eyes as I thanked him for giving me a second chance.

It was then I woke up. Tears were streaming down my face and my pillow was soaked.

Was that a dream?

or

Is this my second chance?

Second Chance by Rend Collective –  

God Of Second Chances by Carlos Whittaker –