Being married to a public school teacher, I have always been fond of this old poem:

He came to my desk with quivering lips,
The lesson was done.
Dear Teacher, “I want a new sheet," he said,
“I spoiled this one."
I took the old sheet, stained and blotted
and gave him a new one, all unspotted,
And into his sad eyes smiled,
“Do better now my child."

I came to God with a quivering soul
The old life was done.
Dear Father, “Have you a new life for me?
I spoiled this one."
He took the old life, stained and blotted
and gave me a new one, all unspotted,
And into my sad heart smiled,
“Do better now my child."

The power to begin again! That's what I want us to think about today. It was the topic of Peter's sermon on Solomon's porch, after a crippled man started walking, jumping and praisi…