Time Out

Yesterday I visited Marvin. Joel was supposed to go with me but when he was unable to go, our friend Mike went instead. I was grateful to Mike as I did not feel comfortable going alone. My family has been friends with Marvin for about a year now. He is a good man. He loves his friends and would do just about anything for them. And like every single one of us, he has made some decisions in his life that have brought him to this point of paying the consequences. Marvin is awaiting a court date that will determine whether he spends many years in jail as a habitual offender or he walks as a free man. He was recently moved into the work release building from the jail. I know that God has it under control and that what is meant to be will be. I am also confident that Marvin is prepared for what ever that is. He has many challenges to conquer in the mean time. Jail is not a glorified time out.

I don't know where I am going with this blog, but I felt that I should at least write it down. I hope everyone remembers that no matter how bad they think they have it, there is someone who has just a few more challenges in life. I am not saying that Marvin does not deserve to be where he is. I actually think he is just where he should be at this point in his life. But many of us have been fortunate. Any number of us could be where he is today. He has a problem with drinking and getting in a vehicle while intoxicated. Thank God he has not physically injured anyone seriously. Emotionally, I know there are people who are suffering because of his choices though. He has two teenaged daughters whom he barely knows. However I also know that any number of us could be in the same situation. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count how many of my friends and relatives have gotten into a vehicle after having more than enough to drink - myself included, I'm sorry to say. I pray that at least one person thinks twice before getting behind the wheel intoxicated. It could save a life - it could save your life.