October 22, 2018
Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
Trigger warning: Crime, abuse, cheating, etc.
There was a time in my life when, starry-eyed and naive, my answer to this week’s question would have been an instant yes. But life has hit me square between the eyes on a number of occasions, and now my answer is an unequivocal maybe. I’ve learned to see the world in shades of gray. (No, not the book.)
Does someone who shoplifts deserve a second chance? Sure. Oops, they’re part of a ring that travels from town to town ripping of small mom-and-pop-stores? Well, maybe not. Oh, that’s bad info, they are really a widow who’s husband died a month ago and the life insurance company hasn’t paid off yet and she needs diapers for their three month old baby. Second chance, of course!
How about the juvenile delinquent who was sentenced to a program for troubled youth for six months because he ripped off a carton of cigarettes? Oh, and it turns out the judge had a financial stake in the program the kid was sent to.
How about the husband who cheats on his pregnant wife? There are even pictures to prove it. Oh wait, he was roofied and raped.
See what I mean? Shades of gray. What seems like an open-shut case may turn out to have nuances you never imagined. Still, I’m human. You hurt my baby? I’ll never give you a second chance. You hurt me? We’ll see what happens.
The Irish rock group, The Cranberries, had a hit that says it well. “Forgiven, not Forgotten.” If we carry around the hurt that people have inflicted upon us, we will soon be buried so deep under it we’ll never see the light of day. Forgiveness can ease the burden. That doesn’t mean we have to keep giving the offender chance after chance to hurt us again.
So, do I believe in second chances? Although I’ve never committed a crime, I’ve been the recipient of a few, and I hope I’ve made good use of them. I’ve given other people a few in return and some of them have made needed changes and others? I’ve not forgotten.
I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments. In the meantime, I’m following the links below to find out how the other authors feel.
October 22, 2018
Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
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