Second Chance, anyone?

So which do you like better? The baby pink ruffled chiffon dress with Madonna gloves…or the big 80’s hair and make-up?

Personally, I am digging the white tux with the matching pink tie and cummerbund. The date, by the way, was an acquaintance of mine from church who I thought was sweet but had only talked to a total of about three times in my life (one of which was to ask him to the prom). I brought him so I would have someone taller than me in the picture, since most of us know that in high school, it’s all about the prom picture with the cute guy. No one cared if you were actually dating them. Needless to say, our night was not made up of brilliant conversation or sweet nothings. It was more like tons of awkward pauses intermixed with a few moments of audible sighs. Not a defining moment in either of our lives, for sure.

My prom wasn’t a disaster, but it wasn’t all that memorable, either. I didn’t get into a fight and break-up with my boyfriend (since I didn’t have one), and I didn’t get drunk and do anything crazy (not that I was Ms. Goody-two-shoes, but it was a Christian school and it was more of a banquet than a prom to begin with). Naw, the worst thing I did on prom night was shun my prom date when he tried to kiss me. Wasn’t into him, I’m afraid. Only for the pictures, remember? :)

So I am happy to report that this May I have the opportunity for a do-over, when our very awesome small group class at church hosts its first annual Second Chance Prom. I am sooooo excited about it, and it looks to be such fun!!! We have a venue…a DJ…and a social committee! Lots of food and fun, and I wish all of you friends could make it! Though the theme is “Blast From the Past” (appropriately), I think I will opt to borrow a gown from someone rather than pull out the pink ruffley number from yesteryear and attempt to zip it. I get a second chance to re-live my prom, only this time, I am taking a very handsome guy who I know quite well, and I can even go with him to a hotel room afterwards and get all “Biblical” and everything. :) Good times!

The more I talk to people about it, the more I realize most people would love to have this opportunity of a second chance at prom. It’s amazing how much all of us have grown and changed since those high school prom days! I know I have…at least in some ways.

In some ways, I haven’t. I am still stubborn like I was back then. I am still not a morning person. I still don’t like being told what to do. And I am still asking God to forgive me for the same sins I found myself falling into back when Madonna gloves were cool. They may now look more 2008, but the core issues remain very 1980's. I am a repeat offender, and God keeps giving me second…and third…and hundredth…chances to get it right. Thankfully.

Not trying to overspirtualize this, ya'll. I do realize that I am talking about the prom here. It's just that I can't think of second chances without thinking about all the chances He's given me.

But I do like the idea of a Second Chance Prom. Something about an opportunity to make it right. I can’t travel back to 1989 and have a do-over with the guy in the white tux, and incidentally, I wouldn’t want to. My new guy and I have much more to talk about. And who wouldn’t with three kids, a mortgage, and nearly 13 years of frozen Stouffer’s Lasagnas under our belt? Lots of history to re-hash while slow dancing to “A Groovy Kind of Love,” I think. Who knows? I might even let him kiss me. :)

Yep, second chances are on my mind today. Had one? Need one? I’d love to hear about yours. Drop me a comment about a second chance you’ve had…and please, give details if it involves parachute pants, taffeta, or Footloose.

Lisa :)