Elizabeth Smart, Bernie Madoff & a New Song: Begin with Me
Posted on December 14, 2010 with 3 comments
Most early mornings, I hop in the car, ride to the athletic club, and run on the treadmill as I watch the morning news. Yesterday, two articles, broadcast side by side, gripped me and planted a seed of a new song in my head.
Elizabeth Smart, a beautiful 22-year-old, was abducted by the creepiest guy imaginable when she was 14, forced to serve as his wife for 9 months, and by God's grace, was rescued. It is clear that in these past 8 years, much deprogramming and healing has occurred in her life. Yesterday, in the company of her fiercely loving, God-fearing family, she watched the despicable man be convicted to prison. Here is what her eloquent father said, “Elizabeth was so impressed with the prosecuting team, that she wants to go on to law school and be a voice for the victims.” This girl has been restored!
Then came the article on Bernie Madoff, the Ponzie scheme crook, who is sitting in prison. He has a new burden to bear. In the wake of lawsuits against him because of his father, Bernie's son, Mark, committed suicide by hanging himself with a dog leash. Stealing money is one thing. This is a whole other ballgame. Did Bernie ever think about what he was passing on to his children? I bet he bought them anything they ever wanted, except what really matters. What cannot be bought. What cannot be earned.
Luke 9:25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet forfeit their very self?
As I sweated out my final mile, I felt the tug of truth. I can't find a scripture that says exactly, “The stupid, mindless, insensitive, rude, cruel, and illegal things you do will be passed on to your kids, so watch out!” But it is there all over Scripture. It is in most of the stories in the Old Testament. It is the backwards version of the Golden Rule. It is IMPLIED and it is TRUSTWORTHY. You can pass on a blessing and you can pass on a curse to your children and to your children's children and beyond.
Even new science is confirming that our choices influence the genetic code of our children. This responsibility is nothing to trifle with. It is EVERYTHING that matters. Proceed with caution, dear parents. Proceed with abounding love. Pass on the fruits of the spirit. All other things rot, wither, and fade away.
I think this new song brewing in my heart will be called “Begin with Me.”