The Chronicles of grace

As I sat in the courtroom listening to the victim impact statement, I couldn’t help but to pray. Shortly thereafter, the mother of the accused, 21-year-old child, was given an opportunity to speak. She fought to hold back tears until she erupted in the grief of disappointment. Unable to get one sentence out of her mouth, she returned to her seat, weeping, and sobbing. The defense attorney attempted to summarize the mother’s heart concerning the character of her child, but her disposition had said it all. I remembered those days. I remembered not being able to tell my child with certainty that all would be well; that he would be alright. I remember feeling judged, persecuted, and accused of not being a good parent as onlookers scoffed with indignation. I remember the feeling of discouragement. Did let him down? Could I even pick myself up?

I held great empathy for his mother. Although I was in the courtroom on business hours, I heard the assignment. I watched the family members file out. Finally, Mom her small grandchild, and her daughter, exited the courtroom. I followed innately. The spirit of the Lord was moving. As we retreated to the hall I began to tell her the story of my own experience through the teachings of a testimony. We all have one. Each of us have been given a predetermined cross to bear, and a journey to path. I recalled recounting innumerable wrong turns as a single parent. Maybe that’s how we miss the marker that tells us where the rest stop is. Busy, but not productive.

We give all that we can of ourselves and find fault in everything that we do. We must learn to be still in the moments, in the right now, and let God be God. We have absolutely no control over anyone, at times, not even ourselves. Let God carry you through, just as you have carried your own children. He who was without blame, took the blame for us all, so that we wouldn’t be suffered to fall. Don’t give up yet. You’re just getting started. A short term or sentence in life, can be the place where a new beginning is started. Keep the faith. There’s another one in the fire with you. He can and will pull you through. He will perfect the things concerning you.