Even the “Bad Guys”

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

John 3:16 (NIV)

I love the untainted innocence of children, don’t you?  Lately, my kids and I have watched a little of a show that involves police officers and their dealings with various criminals.  The eyes of my children are wide-eyed and curious as the officer shoves the drug dealer against his car, fastening the cuffs with a clink and then shielding his head as the prisoner ducks into the vehicle. A real, live bad guy on television.  You see, my children only know of the bad guys as fictional characters that have to be included for a game of cops and robbers to be well rounded.  Honestly, I don’t think they have a clue as to what the bad guys actually do.  “What did he do, Mommy?” they ask as the patrol car speeds off under another emblazoned caption of “Street Patrol.”  As the siren whirrs, I tell them of the dangers of drugs and how people who sell them have to be put in jail so their trade won’t harm people further. I watch the car speed away and I feel the same nudge in my spirit that I always do, reminding me, just reminding me. 

Yes, there are folks out there who can’t be trusted.  The subgroup known as “strangers” has always been discussed at length, and always holds the same kind of mystery for my kids, because we just never know.  But the truth is, there are all kind of “bad guys” out there, right?  Some are thieves, some abduct, some injure, some vandalize.  Some are abusive and inhumane to the body.  But some are abusive and inhumane to the spirit.  Some oppress the weak by force, and some by emotional blackmail.  Some simply crush spirits, some wield a fiery tongue.  Some have broken hearts at whim and some neglect their loved ones.  Some take advantage.  Some are poisoned by greed, immorality, or just plain selfishness.

 I remember my “bad guy” days, don’t you?  And I remember the shackles that tragically held me captive to…myself.  I watch the guy bending over the hood of his car and I think, “He’s not so unlike myself.  I was a prisoner once, too, and a menace to all that is good.”  And so when we have our “bad guy” talks, I remind my children of the grace of God, the kind that extends to every bad guy out there.  And when I am weaving my bad guy character, I try to remember to include a bit of hope for even the worst.  Because it’s out there, isn’t it, reserved for the most wretched offender.  I know because once that was me.

 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I’m found,

Was blind, but now I see. 

  –John Newton