"Four more minutes till the bus rolls" said Daddy, zipping up his jacket. For fourteen years he had been driving the school bus, and kept a clock-like schedule. The children began a mad scramble that somehow repeated itself daily in spite of the advice given in advance to have things all ready.
“Your hair doesn't look combed to me, Herb" reminded Mother. Beth remembered at the same moment that she hadn't brushed her teeth after breakfast. Sam scattered a pile of books in an attempt to sort out which ones were his. Beth followed Mother explaining that she was out of theme paper and needed some money and Randy needed an excuse written for yesterday's absence. Sam was rummaging through the apple box, looking for some extra ones to eat on the way. The bus horn sounded and there were hasty kisses and good-byes. Some ran out the door and some rushed back after forgotten lunch boxes and mittens. It was hard to direct traffic without some kind of casualties.
“Where's my library book? It's due today!" "That's my scarf, yours is in the closet!" A scuffling of feet, a slamming of doors; then a sudden roar of the idling bus engine and they were off. All was quiet, and then a small wail arose from the back porch. "I was just putting my boots on, and he didn't wait for me.”
“Well, Herb, it looks as if you are left behind, but you know why, don't you?" "I just about had them on too," was the sad answer.
“Who didn't get up when he was called this morning? Who was late to breakfast? You always think there's plenty of time—until it's too late. Now you will have to run down to "the second chance corner" and see if you can meet the bus at the crossroads as Daddy comes back down the road from Waggoners.”
Mother watched the little fellow run out the gate and head for the crossroads. Yes, sometimes there is a "second chance" but it is a poor thing to count on. It can mean losing one's own soul, heaven and eternity with Christ.
But what if we're not ready? What if we really meant to get saved? What if we had even thought about it? What if we had listened in Sunday School? What if we had said our verses every Sunday, but had put off turning to Him and being saved?
It will be too late, no second chance to be ready then.