“Bad Decisions/Second Chances” by Justin March

Have you ever made a decision that seemed simple and harmless, but as you began
to carry it out, you understood how horribly bad you had calculated the chance
of failure? One of those decisions that once you had engaged in the act, it was
nearly impossible to reverse? As I began my Memorial Day weekend, I had done
just that.

It was going to be a quiet weekend at the March household, and my wife and I
were looking forward to getting some tasks crossed off our “to do” list. Since
there was a strong chance of rain in the forecast, I told Jessica that I wanted
to get the outdoor chores done first. I was ready to go, but she was not, so I
figured I would get a head start and gather the tools needed to accomplish
these “simple” tasks.

Well, my lack of patience got the best of me and this is where my bad decision
begins. We have a large tree in the backyard, and it seems like every year,
there are always a few branches that die and need to be cut out. This year, the
branch that has not survived is large and much higher than normal, but it still
did not look like it would be that difficult to get to. So, I grabbed the
ladder and began to decide where to set it up. It became obvious, early, that
there was no way I was going to reach that branch by setting up the ladder on
the ground, so I began to look for alternative locations. As I looked at the
best angles and best “decision” to make, I thought I would set up the ladder on
the deck, lean it against the railing, and have a solid chance of cutting
everything out that needed to go.

Okay, not that big of deal right? Well, Jessica and I had decided the night
before that I would not get on the ladder until she was with me and could hold
it to make sure it stayed stable. But my stubbornness, lack of patience, and
arrogance around this “simple” task got the best of me, and I told myself I
could cut a few small branches as I waited for her to get ready. And once she
came outside and could help, we would then tackle the larger ones.

That was 7:00 AM Saturday morning. Now that I look back at the “setup” I had
created, I cannot believe the dangers I had failed to comprehend. I had
basically made a teeter totter with that ladder, and when I climbed up and got
to the top rung, the bottom half swung up, the ladder went over the railing,
and it came crashing down on our pavestone patio with me still on it.

Sometimes a bad decision comes with just a little bit of pain or embarrassment.
And sometimes, you lay on a hospital bed with 3 broken ribs, a separated
shoulder, a punctured lung, and enough bumps and bruises to make you realize
how poor your plan really was. It has been a tough 36 hours, and the pain is
like nothing I have ever experienced before, yet there are some good lessons
that God has taught me through this horrific ordeal.

Now that I am home, I am starting to realize how good God truly was during this
painful event. He never promised that bad things will not happen, especially
when we allow our “free will” to get in the way of ignoring common sense. But
if you let Him, He will show you how to have a good, positive perspective no
matter how bad the situation has become.

First, I
understand how fortunate I was. Yes, I am hurt pretty bad. Actually, I am hurt
really bad, and it will take weeks, maybe months before I am healed and back to
“normal.” But, I could easily be paralyzed or in a coma from taking such a hard
spill. Instead, I am able to write this email, and although it comes with a lot
of pain, I am feeling blessed to be home and in my own bed to start the
recovery.

Second, God surrounded me with a lot of good people. I am fortunate to have a
wife that loves me and children who will support me as I will need help over
the next few weeks. I know they will pick up the slack and take care of the
chores I normally handle. And if that is not enough, God also put it on the
hearts of my friends and extended family to send me well wishes and notes of
encouragement to keep my attitude positive and help keep my mind off the pain I
am enduring.

And third, here is something I only realize now that I am home and able to
think more clearly. The staff that took care of me was amazing and top notch.
They were all working 12-14 hour shifts and were exhausted from the lack of
staff and magnitude of need. Yet, they were pleasant, resourceful, and helpful
in my time of crisis. And as I was discharged this afternoon, my head nurse,
Rachele, said she needed to let me know that I was a pleasure to take care of
and was respectful, pleasant, and upbeat in a situation where she had no idea
how I was enduring the pain. I guess God was using me to witness, even in a
time of discomfort and agony, and I told Rachele I had decided I could either
be angry and in pain or positive and in pain. Either way, I am glad I chose to
be positive. Maybe, just maybe, God allowed me to be that ray of light this
staff needed to see in a place filled with trauma and heartache.

I know this probably sounds like a pity party or a cry for help, but my point
is this. No matter the pain, heartache, trauma, or “bad decision”, God has
given me a second chance. He has allowed me to hurt so I know the detriment of
not following directions. He has allowed me to survive, so I can tell my story
and warn people about the dangers of ladders. And over the years, He has filled
my life with perspectives that can only come from Him and His undying love for
me and my family. He has guided me along a path I never knew existed. And He
has taken my hand, taught me valuable lessons, and used me as a beacon to
spread His messages and shine light unto others. I am blessed to have these
“second chances”, and I will make sure I use them to do His work.

My friends, never ignore the “second chances” God bestows upon you. There will
be times you make a bad decision. There will be times you ignore the signals
that will keep you from harm. And there will be times when your arrogance,
hatred, sadness, stubbornness, or lack of knowledge keep you from making the
best choices. But that does not mean you need to wallow in self-pity, fall into
the pits of sorrow, or fade away into the darkness. You just need to trust in
God, follow His instructions, and have faith that He will take care of you.
There will come a day when our “second chances” will end, so until then, make
the most of every opportunity He bestows upon you, do your best to have a
positive attitude in every situation, and remember you might be the only light
another sees amongst all the darkness in their life. God does, will, and
continues to give us “second chances”. The question is this….what will you do
to make the most of them?