07:00 report

No bond.

It's like watching someone cut the branches off of a living tree. You know the branches could survive if given nourishment, love, and attention. But instead the men just hack away at the lifeless branches because someone deemed them unworthy. Maybe it's a large pruning process, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I know that this pruning is doing more damage than it is help. A part of it was killed and will not return.

I watch the rain fall. And I rejoice, because I love the rain. I thank God for a beautiful day like today... rain. drip. drip. But I can't help but watch the tired souls who cross the street, hating the rain, getting splashed by passing cars, because they walked too slow. And then, two obviously intoxicated homeless men pass by one man, smokes. Bum a cigarette. He shakes their hands. Other people wouldn't touch them because they're hands are stained yellow from nicotine & cigarettes. He smiles & walks away. What a blessing this man is. To treat these men as humans, as if they are someone's child, someone's brother. We need more of these friendly, caring people. Friends. Their hearts are content on smoking just one more cigarette. Making it to the next day.

Our society is in need. I am affected by something big. Today. Yesterday. A friend, a kid that needs guidance, nourishment, and love - put in jail, "put me in black & whites" I hear him say. Cut off like the branches of the tree I just watched get hacked off and discarded into the trash. It doesn't have to be like this. This is the imagery I see in my head, with my friend. I've seen the punishment for a Felony B RSMo: 195.211 be 15 years. 15 years is three quarters of his life. I pray it is not this long. I pray its only a "120." To shake him up a bit. To get him set on the right track. Can prison push you in the right direction? Doubts. Can he be redirected? I believe everyone can. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good. It is times like these when I thank God for putting me where I am, for working and laboring for Him. His love covers this. Jesus, guide us - for we can lose sight of you in a second. Let your light shine Lord, the darkness has not overcome it!

I see the light. I do not see the ending. I do not know what will happen. I trust the Lord has me here for a reason. Has me in specific people's lives, there is a reason. What is it? First and foremost to love them. To provide for them, through Him, that love, nourishment, and attention. Me. Through You.