God is the God of the do over

It used to be that when youngsters were on the sandlot baseball field, there was a word that was hollered a lot: “Do over!” The exclamation came when the batter is out of strikes and has swung a particularly awkward swing; or when there wasn’t a pitcher, and the batter had missed his own pitch that he had tossed up in front of himself. Exclaiming “Do over!” gave the right, when all chances are gone, to have one more chance.

For fifty short years they have been married. It’s their golden wedding anniversary and they are being honored by family and friends; and someone in the crowd calls out, “Speech, speech!” The couple tries to gather themselves, balancing crystal cups on crystal plates with cake and nuts and mints. They playfully speak of one another to the guests, joking of how they have managed to put up with each other for such a jaw-gaping span of years.

The husband and wife are dressed as if they are getting married just today. His coat is buttoned; and she wears on her left shoulder an orchid corsage— probably the first one since high school. In reply to the request, the husband kisses his wife, holds her hand, and leans toward the microphone. After a long moment of silence, he offers a sincere thanks to all who have come, and shares a story he has read somewhere: “When Victoria was queen of the British Empire,” he begins, “she once visited the area of India called the Punjab. Her empire stretched around the globe. Britain ruled the sea. When Queen Victoria spoke, the world listened. That afternoon in the Punjab, she was told that a young prince of a minor province would like to make a presentation to her. She said, ‘Show him in.’

“The young prince—really just a small child—knelt before the queen. Then he opened the bag. A gigantic, brilliant, polished diamond fell into his hand. The audience gasped a little, each one whispering to the other. Queen Victoria thanked the child-prince and promised him that his generous gift would become a permanent part of the royal treasury of crown jewels in London.

“Many years later, that same prince made a trip to England. He asked to see the aging Queen Victoria. She was reminded of the man’s earlier gift and granted him an audience. After the proper introductions were made, the young man asked if he might see the diamond he had given to the queen many years before. It was brought from the vault and handed to him.

“‘Your Highness,’ he said, ‘years ago when I was a small child, I gave this diamond to you. At the time I had no idea how much this stone was worth. Today I am a man and I know how much this stone is really worth. May I give it to you again— with all my heart?’” The husband pauses and turns toward his beloved. “Once I stood at the altar and gave myself to you in marriage. Like that young child-prince giving his priceless gift, I did not really know at that time what I was giving you. But now, after all these years, the Great Depression, a World War, a chorus of laughter and an ocean of tears, much hard work and countless prayers, two wonderful kids, beautiful grandchildren, and a lot of scrambled eggs and bologna sandwiches, I know how much this life means to me. Sweetheart, now that I know what it’s worth, may I give myself to you again—with all my heart?”

My friends, God is the God of the do over!