Giving people a second chance is hard. Giving chance after chance after chance is even harder.

I am constantly reminded of how people make mistakes and fail to meet expectations. In my own life, I fail others every single day. I make the same mistakes over again after thinking I had fixed the problem.

However, I am also constantly reminded of how people need to be forgiven time after time. They need to be given a second chance, and a third, and a fourth, as many times as it takes.This can be one of the hardest possible things to do. Forgiving isn’t easy, forgiving a second or third time is even harder.

But as broken people we need it. We need others who will pick us up again and again. People who stick by no matter what. Sometimes there’s that one person who needs someone to see past the problems and mistakes to give as many chances as it takes. They need someone who will care no matter what.

A great reminder of this is from Matthew 18:21-22.

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”

Jesus’ instruction is to forgive seventy-seven times. This means as many times as it takes; there is no limit.

So as you’re in whatever season of life you are in, remember that everyone makes mistakes. Everyone needs people who will care enough to stick around and forgive as many times as needed.