STORGE

Once upon a time, in a village named Ebenezer, there lived a family named "The Warrens". The name of the man was Michael and his wife was Sarah. They were a happy couple and married for about 8 years. They wanted a child but for years Sarah was barren. Finally, they had a baby they named him "Frank". The Warrens had great respect in the entire neighbourhood. Michael worked in a shoe-making factory whereas Sarah was a homemaker. The Warrens were overjoyed for the birth of  "Frank" as they had everything and the only wish they had was to have a child. That wish was fulfilled now.

Soon, Frank joined the Pre-School and passed with good grades. Same was the case when he was in the school. He was a bright student and in fact a scholar in his class. He always stood first in his class-tests. Later, due to his brilliant reputation in the academics and excellency in his marks and talents, The Principal suggested his parents to admit Frank in a better high school, in Chicago. Frank was told that he'd be going to a Chicago for his studies. Soon, Frank was admitted to King James High School and he started living in the rented-apartment. Everything went well for a few days.

Frank enjoyed the teaching there, the environment, ambience. Soon he was exposed to the materialistic things, one of his room-mates Ivan who was an arrogant, selfish and greedy fellow. He one day proclaimed, "Soon I am going to buy a brand-new car for me." Frank asked him, "How are you planning to meet that need of yours, pal?" . Ivan replied boastfully, " I meet my needs through gambling.". For a few days Frank in his conscience knew that gambling is not a good thing. It is an addiction once his 8th Grade Teacher had told him. But one day Ivan asked him to accompany him to the gambling club. Frank was reluctant at first but later joined him. He was amazed at the sum of money he saw there. And soon started gambling. He had 5$  in his jacket when he stepped into the world of gambling. Within a week he had 115$ in his pocket. It was not that Frank's parents were unable to provide him, they did their job without a flaw.

Frank was too planning to buy a car for himself. The feelings of covetousness were so intense that he had forgotten his focus. Meanwhile, he was absent for 2 weeks in attending the periods at the school. Which ultimately brought him a 1 week detention from the school. But Frank was reckless about it. And regularly participated in his gambling. He soon came to the knowledge that he can buy a car for about 400$ from the local car dealer. All he lacked was 300$. That night he lost the 115$ he had from the gambling business. So he met Ivan who in return introduced him to Mr. Jackie Callahan the mafia and crime lord of Chicago. He loaned Frank 200$ with 25% interest. Frank was pleased with the help he received from Mr. Callahan. So, he gambled the 200$ and lost them.

Soon, Frank was getting frustrated, exasperated and annoyed. The next day he again went to borrow some dollars from Mr. Callahan because he didn't have the money to pay even the rent of his room. As he had lost his 20$ his parents sent him to manage his expenses for the week.

Frank absolutely had no idea what should he do. Frank owed now 350$ to Mr. Callahan. The debt went on increasing and increasing. Frank had received a detention of 20 days now. He was making all the needed provisions to make the things right.

Mr.Callahan needed his money and soon started threatening Frank about the debt he was in.

Frank was weary, tired of the pursuit of greediness. He received a letter as he was at his apartment which stated, "due to your absence in attending the periods at the schools and continual ignorance regarding the detentions given you are now a drop-out."

Frank knew no way how to get out the mess he was in. Everything seemed to be out of control.

Callahan called him one night had put forth a deal. He told Frank to rob a jewellery store. He ensured him that it was an easy job and that if he did this job Callahan would let go his debt and even give him some reward.

Frank knew no way. He thought this was the only way-out.

He decided to hit the store at night. He gained entry in the store and then came a police car. Frank was apprehended by the police. As he was a minor he was sentenced 6 months of imprisonment.

A letter was sent by the High School Dean to his parents regarding his behaviour and constant irregularity. How his grades went down and down. How his progress became diminished.

Frank's parents wept. And they went to meet him. They came to know that their son was apprehended by the police for robbing a store. The police told his parents that they can come to take him after 6 months .

Frank's parents were afraid of the disgrace their only son brought them, and said to the Officer please pass this message to Frank that "never come back home again. We don't have a son. Your acts have brought a stain to the family name."

Frank was weeping over the mistakes he had done, the road he had chosen and the choices he had made.

He now came to know the importance of freedom, the value of contentment and satisfaction. He was in a troubled situation. His agony was unexplainable. His mental state was trembled.

A Pastor used to visit the prison, in which Frank was. That day Frank went to have a lunch. There the Pastor met Frank. Pastor asked him, "What happened son?"

Tears started to pour from Frank's eyes. He made everything known to the Pastor. The past and the present. The pastor told him about Jesus. That only Jesus can forgive his sins as he died for him on the cross and rose again on the third day.

How he {Jesus} specialises in giving people a new start and a new life. How can he become his child. And how can his life be transformed. How his broken life which is equivalent to a broken vessel be made whole. How he can have a purpose in life. How he can have peace.

Frank accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. He soon started reading the Bible and attending fellowship they had in the security facility. Within two months, the people around Frank started to notice the transformation in his life.

Frank started praying to Jesus regarding every matter. Soon, he and the Pastor became close friends.

Frank now had 4-months for his release. Frank asked the Pastor, "What should I do after I get out? Where should I go?"

To which the Pastor replied, "You are a child of God now, he knows how to sustain you. He has made all the plans for your life and the future, they are for your betterment and will give you a hope. Don't worry, cast your cares and anxieties on him. Remember the verses I showed you, The Psalms 103:12 John 3:16 and 1 John 1:9 John 1:12 Jeremiah 29:11" he added "Write a letter to your parents and ask them for forgiveness and ask whether you can come back home."

Frank got some courage, 3 months remaining he wrote his first letter.

In which he wrote,

"My precious parents, I know I am rebellious son I have brought disgrace. I don't know what to write. All I ask is  "Can you forgive me? Can I come back home?" I promise to be a good son. A better person in life, I will work and cancel all my debt. My life has witnessed transformation. I now have a purpose in my life. Will you accept me?"

He got no reply for the letter.

Next month he wrote the same letter. Still he got no reply.

15 days were remaining and he wrote the same letter but added something in the end.

"My precious parents, I know I am rebellious son I have brought disgrace. I don't know what to write. All I ask is that can you forgive me? Can I come back home? I promise to be a good son. A better person in life, I will work and cancel all my debt. My life has witnessed transformation. I now have a purpose in my life. Please will you accept me?
(Extension)
 If  have forgiven me and want me to come back home and that you've given me second chance. Let this be a sign please keep  a white flag outside the house near the mail-box. I will come to know that you want me and that you've forgiven me."

As Frank was wearing his suit he had mixed feelings, whether his parents will accept him or whether they won't? Frank trusted God whatever it be God has plans for his life and that he will never leave or abandon him.

As he walked in his neighbourhood he was waiting to see the White Flag.

As he gazed at the Mail-box he was overjoyed to see the White Flag the sign for his forgiveness.

He rushed inside, hugged his parents and the family wept. Frank came to know that his parents also accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. They gave Frank a Second-chance.

Frank then went on to live a life full of purpose. He completed his High-school and College. And cleared his debt and became a good person.

Insight:

Frank here mentioned a sign for his forgiveness and acceptance. The sign  is the CROSS. The cross on which Jesus died for everyone as a perfect sacrifice bearing everyone's sins and mistakes and rebellion to God. By his death and by faith I gained acceptance in God's family and was made righteous in God's sight. And you can be too. I have a future I am forgiven and chosen by God. Everyone on this planet needs forgiveness and one can find that in Jesus Christ alone"

I love the song by Rend-Collective "Second Chance" it has this line "countless second chances we've been given at the cross."   

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. The Message
Hebrews 10:14

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

Blessings Always,