“Forgive each other, just as Christ has forgiven you.” ~ Ephesians 4:32
At 15, Jason got arrested with
friends lobbing eggs at a classmate’s house. He was arrested just four months later as the
lookout for some older guys who’d broken into a grocery store to steal some
alcoholic drinks. Stupid kid stuff.
A year later, now old enough for
a driver’s license, he reached into an empty car and took the keys from the
ashtray. After joyriding for an hour or so,
Jason got pulled over by the police.
Auto theft is a felony.
He pled to a lesser charge - placed on probation plus community service
and a $450 fine. But he now faced a new
problem. A criminal record made it
almost impossible to find decent employment.
Even lower-paying jobs now required background checks.
He survived on savings and the
generosity of friends. A lady from his
church brought occasional meals; a friend tucked $50 into a Thanksgiving card;
another friend allowed him to sleep in his abandoned farmhouse. Not the future he’d once envisioned as a “productive
member of society.”
Prior to sentencing, Levi
Sherman, the jewelry store owner, was asked to write a Victim’s Impact
Statement to be read at Jason’s court hearing.
It was intended to describe how the defendant's actions and resulting trauma
had affected his emotional, financial, and spiritual well-being.
Mr. Sherman rose from his chair and stood alone behind the courtroom
lectern. His voice cracked with
hesitancy as he described the robbery, characterizing Jack as polite, nervous,
and clumsy. “Without a weapon; I don’t
think he’d thought through it clearly,” he added sympathetically. “Jason seemed down on his luck.”
“Judge” he continued, “we know
from research that stable employment is an important predictor of successful
re-entry and desistance from crime. I own
another business, one that loads and unloads trucks. With the court’s permission, I prefer he NOT
to be punished in the usual way. I’d
rather help him turn his life around by giving him a chance to earn a living.”
An astonished Judge stared down
at Mr. Sherman. After a moment, he
cleared his throat. If this is your
sincere desire wish, and without coercion, I’ll grant your wish.”
“It is, your Honor,” he
replied.”
“Let it be so ordered, the Judge
said and pounded his gavel.
Jack’s brain stuttered for a
moment while his emotions caught up.
Tears fell off his cheeks as a smile spread across his face. He would NOT let Mr. Sherman or himself down
this time.
Father God, help me bless those who have
hurt me and walk in righteousness, peace, and joy. I want to be kinder and more compassionate,
forgiving others, just as You unconditionally forgave me. Amen
