Spending the day, this week, as a member of a grand jury panel was very educational. I learned a lot about the legal process. I caught a glimpse of some of the adventures that police officers endure. I saw how criminal acts can tear apart a family, pitting family members against each other. I was surprised how people will choose a criminal act that has extremely high consequences in order to attempt to obtain something with very little value. The courthouse was a whole different world than I live in. I admit that most of those issues found in a courthouse do not even enter my mind, unless I happen upon a news story or unless a close friends or relative has a legal issue brought to my attention. In many ways, I live in a bubble, closed off from the rest of the world. To be honest, I much prefer the innocence of my sheltered life.
God was not speaking about jury duty in this Bible passage but it has really hit home for me this week...
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. (Ecclesiastes 1:18)
There is a lesson from jury duty this week that I almost wish had not entered my knowledge. As I listened to the details of case after case that day, I was struck by the fact that these adults who were making such poor choices and engaging in such criminal acts, used to be adorable little babies and toddlers.
I am surrounded by adorable little babies, active little toddlers, and precocious preschoolers. I spend most of my days around lots of children, not just my own children. I see these children as precious gifts that bring joy to those around them.
I do not see them as future criminals.
My heart is saddened by the knowledge that the jails and prisons are filled with people who used to be bouncing baby boys, and a parent's little princess.
Somewhere along the course of their lives, something went dreadfully wrong.
God was not speaking about jury duty in this Bible passage but it has really hit home for me this week...
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. (Ecclesiastes 1:18)
There is a lesson from jury duty this week that I almost wish had not entered my knowledge. As I listened to the details of case after case that day, I was struck by the fact that these adults who were making such poor choices and engaging in such criminal acts, used to be adorable little babies and toddlers.
I am surrounded by adorable little babies, active little toddlers, and precocious preschoolers. I spend most of my days around lots of children, not just my own children. I see these children as precious gifts that bring joy to those around them.
I do not see them as future criminals.
My heart is saddened by the knowledge that the jails and prisons are filled with people who used to be bouncing baby boys, and a parent's little princess.
Somewhere along the course of their lives, something went dreadfully wrong.
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