In a emotion-free, ideal world with no hurts no disparities - where justice and fairness abound -forgiveness is powerful. Forgiveness is healing. And the easy choice when you are untouched by the pain. But in the face of tragedy, that is when forgiveness is the most amazing. That is when we stand back and awe at a person's courage and maturity. Of course, I say this as I sit safely, untouched by the situation.
But you know who I have pity for right now? You know who, in my protected, easy world - I just wanna hug and encourage? Please put the stones away, Madoff.
There is something about seeing this man in his brokenness that makes my spirit lurch. Something about loosing all hope of freedom. Of seeing it all over. Of protecting your family from the fate they deserve. Of carrying all those burdens - that makes me wanna call him him up and chat.
Now saying all that, if I were on that jury, I'm afraid I wouldn't have much of a choice. But justice doesn't mean a void of compassion
And while I sit here typing this with my ROTH fully funded and my 401k matched, I want him to know I forgive him. I would want him to hear that while most will not see the value of his life because of this shadow he has cast upon it - to know there was value, and still is, and he still made a positive difference.
That's all.
9 comments:
I too felt compassion for him when watching him hauled off to jail. I've been reading the Bible and teaching the kids about over indulgence and how money can really hurt people if they don't use it to bless others and if they let it currupt them. I think because of my recent studies on that, I realize it can happen to anyone. Obviously it was to the extreme with this guy but we are all human and guilty of greed and indulging to some degree.
Now when they showed the older lady who had over 5 million and now has nothing and has to work as a cleaning lady...I can't say I wouldn't be livid too!!
To me, this story of his demise is an example of how we can get caught up so easily. With the first time he chose the path of fraud, he was on a spinning wheel he could not get off. He cheated one and had to cheat the next to cover his sins. Then the next and the next.
It is like going to the donut counter. If you never go there, it will not be so easy to go the next time or the next...
Sort of, only worse.
hey cool music today too! every day! But this especially I like it! A lot!
I have no compassion for this man. He didn't make an innocent mistake, he wasn't led astray by someone else, he didn't accidently commit this deed. He is an intelligent man, who without any compassion or feeling for his victims, stole their life savings. He disregarded the rights, security, and feelings of others to satisfy his own greed. He has ruined the lives of innocent people and needs to pay for his greed. Prison is where he belongs. My compassion is with the people whose lives he ruined.
I'm so glad that you wrote this. Everytime I see his picture....on tv or in print....I just feel so sad for him. Without a doubt, I also feel sad for all of the people that he hurt. It's just a sad situation all around.
I'm so ashamed....I dont watch the news...or much tv at all...who are we talking about??
Ok, found it! I'm so behind....
Sorry... I don't wish him any ill-will. But it's the folks he swindled that I hold my compassion for. I really don't think he was punished enough. I don't mean the death penalty because I do not believe in that. But I truly believe the man should be made to toil day in and day out until he repays each and every person every red cente he stole from them. I think he should be at their beck and call and do their bidding until he draws his last breath. If he was sorry he wouldn't be in the mess he's in.
It's your nature to see the good in everyone... even when they do bad things. I always think of how I'd feel if it were my son who had done something like that. He does need to repent and I think Writer Chick has a good plan.. suffer the consequences, dude.
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