I’ve decided that one thing I wanted to do before I turned 30 was, blog more, so this piece will kick-off the journey. If you ever read any of my blogs, you know that 95% of time they’re meant to inspire, motivate, and encourage. So I pray that by God’s grace, my mission is accomplished. All of these are free-writes with minimal editing. Enjoy.

I was recently asked what I was grateful for, my response with no explanation was, “a second chance.” Let me explain! Last year, on November 29, 2012, my first born child, Brandon Oscar McAfee Jr. was making his entrance into the world. This was a moment that I’ve been anticipating for a long time. In preparation for my son, I did a personal inventory and decided I needed to change some habits and ways about myself, before my son would be born.

With much excitement and gratefulness, my son was born, and 41 minutes later my son was gone. Mad, Mad at God, Shock, Pain, Sadness, Denial, Disbelief, Angry, Robbed, Cheated, Confused, and Inadequate are a few of the words and expressions that characterized my disbelief on that day and the days to come.

Since that day, God has been kind and gracious to me (and my wife), which is why I belief in 2nd chances! First and foremost, I belief we serve a God of a 2nd chance! While, I still don’t understand why my son didn’t make it, I thank God that my wife is pregnant again! I thank God for a 2nd opportunity to bring life into this world! I thank God for a 2nd chance to be a father to my child! I thank God for a 2nd chance to share the gift of parenthood with my wife! I thank God for the opportunity to this time– raise a daughter. Oh, what an opportunity!

Whoever is reading this blog today, know that you have a 2nd chance! Know that God has given you a 2nd chance! Know that you have the opportunity to do things differently! You have the chance to try again! To be your best! To work your hardest! To grind like never before! To try like you never tried before! To correct your past mistakes! To say sorry! To turn over a new leaf! To be your best self! To be a better you! To do you! Embrace this 2nd chance and don’t look back! I believe in you! God believes in you! Make the best of this 2nd chance!

God Bless,

BMack