Hole in One...Or Two!

Ah, I love 2nd chances - don't you? I love 3rd and 4th and 5th chances even more!
During a particular difficult time in my child raising, I knew that I needed to gain more patience. And I asked God to please, oh PLEASE(!), grant me that. Well, come to find out, God doesn't really work that way. He gives us the free-will to change ourselves - with HIS strength.
As I prayed (ok, begged) for help with my patience one day, something inside of me realized that God was NOT going to just automatically change my heart, but instead, provide me with situations in which I would have to practice my patience. In my heart, I knew that God understood that I really wanted to change and he would supply me the opportunities to do so.
Then I realized, what an awesome God we have! He has faith in me...he believes that I can do this, since he provided me with opportunities to practice what I was asking for! And how nice is it that we have a God who will provide opportunities over and over again until we get it right!
He doesn't just give us a chance or two. He will give us as many as we need until we get it right, and have achieved what he wants us to achieve.
Have you thanked God for all of the chances he gives you? When you see an opportunity open up to change or better yourself, thank God for having as much faith in you as you do in Him, and for giving you the abundant opportunities to grow and to be more like him.