Sadness

It took my breath away.  It was a small article on my Sacramento news feed of a soccer coach who had been arrested for sexual crimes against a minor.  I know that man!

The crimes with which he is charged are heinous and reprehensible.  He failed and abused those whom he was to mentor.  He betrayed the trust given him by parents and players.  He brought inexpressible hurt to this girl, to her family, to his family, to the soccer community, to his friends and to himself.  There is no excuse for this type of behavior, although there may be a reason.  The penalty that will come if this crime is found to be true is well-deserved and should be thorough and complete.

Yet, I know this man.  Obviously not as deeply as I imagined, nevertheless, I called him "friend."  We shared some laughs together along with some tasks.  We encouraged and consoled each other as we labored together in a common project.  He was able to help me with a problem I had at my church by providing some needed equipment and materials.

Again, I know this man.  And, what I am finding equally reprehensible is the slaughtering he is taking on social media.  People, like me, who had many things in common, have tied an anchor and chain around him, and tossed him into the deep.  I get that they don't want to be connected to someone who would do such horrendous things, but to then disavow all contact seems disingenuous.  The vitriol that has emerged prompted me to glean my "friends" list in FaceBook and other places. 

I know this man.  He has hurt and harmed a girl and her family irrevocably.  He has castrated his own support system - his family and friends.  Yet, I will still pray for him.  I will pray that God, in His perfect mixture of justice and compassion - will find and give mercy and grace to this man.  My prayer is that he come humble and repentant to the only one who can give real forgiveness and restoration.