CANCELED

Today's reading: Colossians 1-2



I honestly cannot tell you where I stand on the issue of the young Florida mother acquitted on the charges related to the death of her 2 year-old. I wasn't sitting in the courtroom listening to the evidence presented. I did not have in my two hands the affidavits listing charges, timelines and confessions. I can not tell you I looked into the eyes of the woman charged with the crime.



I can tell you my heart breaks given the fact that this girl's trial is not over, her freedom is not returned to her, her hell has not ended. She has a lot of things to sort out once the jail cell is open and the final paper for release is signed. She will enter a world of criticism, hatred, death threats and constant scrutiny.



The judge and jury found her not guilty, but the world seems to have come to another judgement. Her life-long sentence is just beginning.



"...Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross." Colossians 2:14 NLT



I'm no different than her. A jury has been presented the evidence of all I've done and I've been found guilty by my peers, my neighbors, my family and myself of many charges. Satan likes to re-play each and every infraction I've committed. Daily reminders dog me as to where I've fallen short and refused to get up.



But, Christ.



Oh, those words bring me hope. But, Christ chose to represent me, stand up for me, take my sentence for me--and wipe my record clean. Though others are undoubtedly aware of all I've done in the past, He has chosen to forgive and forget and walk with me through the crowds of nay-sayers that follow my every step.



He's done the same for the little gal in Florida...I pray she accepts all He's done for her!