When Life Doesn’t Need an “Undo”,...Just a Do-Over: 

A quiet reflection on Second Passover (Pesach Sheni) and the grace that covers.

To give a little preface: several years ago, I became curious about the biblical feasts and holy days mentioned throughout the Old Testament—the appointed times that God wove into Israel’s yearly rhythm. I began following and keeping track of the Hebrew calendar alongside my regular Gregorian calendar (a handy little feature I didn't know you could do on an iPhone!). What began as a curiosity many years ago, has become a rich journey, adding layer after layer of insight and meaning to my Christian walk. I’ve found that these ancient holidays often hold timeless truths… if we slow down long enough to listen.

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This week, I noticed something on my Hebrew calendar—“Second Passover” (Pesach Sheni) falls this Sunday evening. It’s a lesser-known date, tucked a month after the original Passover, and I almost skipped over it. But something about it tugged at me.

So I did some digging. And wow—what a gem!

The story behind the Second Passover, Pesach Sheni, is found in Numbers 9. A group of people had become ritually impure and couldn’t participate in the Passover offering with everyone else. But instead of giving up, they came to Moses and said something that moved me:

“Why should we be kept from bringing the Lord’s offering at its appointed time?”

Essentially: We missed it, but we still want in.

God heard them. And what He gave them wasn’t a scolding or a shrug. He gave them a second chance. He created an entirely new opportunity—a do-over—just for those who felt left out, unclean, disqualified, or too late.

And when I thought about that, something clicked for me.

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As a graphic designer for over 30 years, I’ve probably hit the “undo” button more than most people blink. It’s second nature: make a mistake, Ctrl+Z, and poof—it’s like it never happened. I’ve often said (half-joking, half-longing), “If only life had an undo button.”

But as I sat with this idea of Second Passover, I had a realization:
An undo and a do-over are not the same.

Undo says: “Let’s erase it and act like it never happened.”
Do-over says: “Let’s try again—this time with more heart, more wisdom, more grace.”

Undo erases.
Do-over redeems.

That’s the heart of what Jesus has done for us—not to wipe out the story, but to cover it with grace. And interestingly, that word cover actually contains the word over… as in starting over. A fresh chance. A clean breath. A healed scar that still tells a story. Even the resurrection of Lazarus wasn’t an “undo” of his death. It was a raising up from the dead place—a redemption that left the story intact, scars and all, but now infused with purpose and power.

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As an avid movie lover, this post wouldn’t be complete without a quote from one of my favorite movies that came to mind and seemed to tie-in well. The line was something like: “Haven’t we progressed past the kind of lights where the whole string goes dark because one bulb has gone out?” This line popping up in my mind struck me as both funny and profound. How often do we live that way—thinking one mistake, one missed opportunity, or one loss means the whole story is ruined? But God’s grace isn’t wired that way. He gently replaces the broken bulbs. He restores the connection. He even lights us in a new way we didn’t expect. Second Passover, (Pesach Sheni), reminds me that one dim chapter doesn’t disqualify the whole narrative.

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So here’s what I’m carrying into this weekend:

Maybe I don’t need an undo.
Maybe I just need to believe that a do-over is enough.
To believe that what I missed… isn’t missed forever.
That even if something died, it can rise again.
That grace doesn’t erase—it covers and redeems.

And that God still makes room for those who say, “I don’t want to miss out on what You’re doing. Can I try again?”

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Suggestions for Things To Try:

Reflect on something you thought was too late to redeem.

Write a prayer or journal entry offering it back to God.

Light a candle. Take a deep breath. Whisper, “Thank You, God, for second chances.”

If you're the communion-at-home type, this could be a quiet moment to do that too.

Maybe this becomes your own personal "Second Passover" moment—an invitation to step forward into a new chapter, even if you're late to the party.

Because in God’s timing, late isn’t disqualified.
It’s just… right on time for a do-over.

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Some scriptures that speak about second chances, redemption, and God’s gracious do-overs:

Numbers 9:6–11 — (The original story of Second Passover)

“...Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If any one of you... is unclean... or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Lord's Passover. In the second month, on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall keep it.’”

Lamentations 3:22–23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Joel 2:25

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…”

Isaiah 43:18–19

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Bonus Verses:

Micah 7:18–19

“Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity... You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Psalm 103:10–12

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve… As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Romans 8:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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A Prayer for the Do-Over

Lord,
Thank You that You are the God of second chances,
the God who sees when we’ve missed the mark
and still makes room at the table.

You don’t ask for perfection—
just willingness.
You don’t erase our past—
You redeem it.

Today, I bring before You the places in my life
that feel unfinished,
wounded,
or too far gone.

Where I feel disqualified—
qualify me by Your grace.
Where I feel late—
remind me that You operate outside of time.
Where I long for a do-over—
show me the next faithful step.

Help me to receive Your mercy,
not as a backup plan,
but as a beautiful, intentional gift.

Let this be my Second Passover moment—
where I say yes to You again.
Where I choose to step forward,
scars and all,
believing You’re not finished writing my story.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen