Second Chances are Necessary

Don't do it! Don't throw them out of your life just yet.  I know you trusted him, but he let you down.  I know you would have never treated her that way and you are still shocked at what she did.  How could they do that to you after all you've done for them?  They absolutely were wrong.  Still, don't give them the boot so soon.  Second chances are necessary.  People mess up.  All people mess up.  Any time we deal with a person in our lives on any level for an extended amount of time, expect a fall out.  It will happen.  Still, we can't get rid of the people in our lives at the first fall.  The first fall is a reminder.  It reminds us that the person is human, not God. We should never put our full trust in any human being anyway.  We each have our weaknesses that we have to work at overcoming.  So when a person in our life has a weakness rear its ugly head, our first response should be grace.  In time, your relationship can likely overcome.  Third chances, now that's different.  Third chances are an indicator.  When third chances become necessary it indicates that what you are dealing with is not incidental or accidental, it is a matter of character.  That person is showing you who they are.  Forgiveness is still in order, but keeping them in your life may not be required.  There are some people in our lives who we can't release no matter how many times they've let us down.  It could be a parent, child, spouse....whatever.  If God is requiring you to stick around then he will equip you to stick around.  Put it all in prayer.  Second chances are necessary.  Third chances are indicators.  And God should be first in our lives over them all.

Scripture:
Matthew 18: 21, 22
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven
Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Prayer:
Lord, you are love  Your grace is sufficient and your mercy is everlasting.  Help us to be gracious, merciful, and full of love like you.