“Forgive one another, just as God forgave you." ~ Ephesians
4:32
The small shop sold snacks,
drinks, and other convenience items on the same corner for over five decades. But lately, it’d become a magnet for local petty thieves.
Its longtime owner, Margie, sat unremarkably behind the
counter reading cheesy romance novels when business dragged. She wasn’t the kind you’d pity with her old
bones and feeble limbs, but the kind who could still run an army kitchen given
a chance. Always quick with a joke, Margie
knew most customers by name and treated all her visitors with equal
respect.
Danny and his friend Miguel had it down to a science. They’d search for stores where the shelves
were lined up in such a way that it was difficult for the cahier to watch them.
They always went in pairs.
Miguel would take his time preparing a Slurpee from the drinks counter
while Danny would stuff a backpack full of “saleable” goods that they could sell
after school. They even nicknamed their
practice "finger-painting," a combination of having quick fingers and
being caught red-handed. After pilfering
several desired items, they’d leave a store giggling and exchanging rebellious
glances of teenage arrogance.
Today they weren't nearly as clever as they thought.
When Marge noticed the unfamiliar kids stealing, she didn’t
panic. She simply went over the counter
and locked the front door. Obviously,
they hadn’t intended to pay for the ill-gotten gains. It became equally apparent that they weren’t
going anywhere.
Margie’s piercing eyes settled
on them. “Seems to me you have but two
choices,” she began. “You can wait for
the cops to take you into custody, or you can put all the stuff back on the shelves.”
Their confidence retreated like
a rollercoaster falling backwards. Clearly
not what they’d expected, the boys quickly did as she requested.
They were nearly finished when the police arrived. Margie unlocked the door and explained that
everything had been taken care; no need for their assistance, and went back to
her reading.
How quickly most of us would seek punishment for those who
commit a crime like larceny. If we look
deeper, however, we just might see people that simply need to be shown the right
path.
Compassion isn't always easy, but we're all on this earth together,
so we can't just help those that keep good behavior. Kids who commit such crimes are often some of
those that need help with the most basic spiritual and human principles, such
as right and wrong.
Sure, we need to keep order and hold others accountable for
misbehaviors. But sometimes less is more … a good, kind example is more
effective than harsh punishment. Certainly,
Christ was more effective by preaching responsible behavior than responding to
irresponsible conduct.
Forgiving Lord, Your mercy flows to me in
spite of my faults and failures. If I
can be forgiven, so can others. Help me demonstrate that kind of love even to
those who disappoint and hurt me. Amen
