77 Where Did We Go Wrong?
After the guilty verdict was read by the jury foreman, Madison buried face in her hands and started to cry. Her husband Ethan bit his lip and hugged her with one arm. Their son Jason was going to go to prison for life. Jason showed no emotion as the verdict was read aloud. Madison longingly looked at her son, but he did not look back at her. He was escorted by two officers away and the jury solemnly proceeded out of the jury box.
Family and friends tried to console Madison and Ethan, but Madison collapsed on the ground, overwhelmed with grief. Ethan rushed over to his wife and picked her up. He tried to ask her if she was all right, but Madison jumped up and tried running towards her son. Ethan restrained her, as she hysterically cryied out "Jason! Jason! Jason!"
Later in the evening after Madison had calmed down, Ethan drove her to her parents' house where they had a heart-to-heart talk with her father Norman.
"Where did we go wrong, Norman?" Ethan quietly asked. "We tried raised Jason the right way. We taught him right from wrong. We took him to church and read the Bible with him nightly. We encouraged to accept Jesus into his life...but, but, look at him now! He is going to jail for the rest of his life for murdering someone! Could we have done something different to prevent this from happening? I...I...feel like such a failure as a father, Norman!"
Norman paused for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts. "Madison, Ethan. We all know Jason has been in rebellion for years. I don't think you did anything wrong. You tried your best to raise Jason in a loving, Christian environment. I know you taught him about the love of God and you tried to demonstrate it by the way you lived your lives. However, ultimately, Jason has to choose for himself who he wants to follow in this life. I know this is a very painful time for the two of you, but you cannot have done anything differently to prevent this. This is all the result of Jason's choice in his own life All we can do now is pray for him."
Madison and Ethan looked each other with pained expressions and they clasped each other's hands tightly. They nodded and started to pray together for Jason.
It has been said that God does not have grandchildren. Parents have an important role in raising their children, but ultimately, their children will determine how they want to live and want their destiny will be. Everyone must choose on their own whether or not they will follow God.
- Recommended reading: Ezekiel 14:15-20
