Writing has made my life more than just interesting; it has introduced me to people who have led remarkable lives. When I wrote about Julie Holland and Maxine Raines, I had no idea that I was in the presence of greatness. But I was. They are two treasures in East Tennessee that go unnoticed by far too many. They are SAINTS, whom I came to love. Then, I met Jerry Allen LeQuire, a man who spent most of his life in prison, and died in prison, a man who did, and was accused of, acts most of don’t understand. But you know what, I liked him. So, what does that make me?
Understand, I spent four years talking with him, about everything from drugs to God. And I came to see him for not only what he had done, but for what he could become. As I found myself changing my opinion about him, I thought that it might be time to end my research. After all, he was far removed from anyone I had associated with. That I decided to continue was my good fortune. His questions about God were genuine, thought provoking, and showed what so many like him wonder. How could God forgive? My answer was simple: Since God is perfect, can He possibly have degrees of imperfection? I think not. But man does. If someone kills, he himself might be killed for society has decreed. But if a man constantly abuses a child, he will be sent to prison but his life will be spared. Which is the worse crime? Ironically, the prisoners will tell you the abuser is far worse, so where does that leave us who judge? Think about it.
My point is, I decided to treat Jerry like I thought Jesus would, not with judgment but with spirituality. Yes, I understand there are those who Jerry scarred who find it impossible to forget, and forgive---I really do understand. I came to him with none of this baggage.
I titled the book A SPECIES OF INSANITY not because he or those around him were insane, but because we as a species act in such insane ways that are not in accordance with what God intended---and I’m not just talking about crime but the way we deal with life. Yes, we are insane, don’t you agree? Look at our political situation where compassion is just a word. If Jesus were here, he’d probably go to Washington and drive Congress out with a whip. But enough of that!
I have interfaced with many others in my writing research, and each one had their own story. In that, as a writer I had the advantage of looking at the people through a wide-angle lens.
So, I will continue to write, to attempt to see the full picture, and hopefully this path will be equally satisfying and rewarding.
Understand, I spent four years talking with him, about everything from drugs to God. And I came to see him for not only what he had done, but for what he could become. As I found myself changing my opinion about him, I thought that it might be time to end my research. After all, he was far removed from anyone I had associated with. That I decided to continue was my good fortune. His questions about God were genuine, thought provoking, and showed what so many like him wonder. How could God forgive? My answer was simple: Since God is perfect, can He possibly have degrees of imperfection? I think not. But man does. If someone kills, he himself might be killed for society has decreed. But if a man constantly abuses a child, he will be sent to prison but his life will be spared. Which is the worse crime? Ironically, the prisoners will tell you the abuser is far worse, so where does that leave us who judge? Think about it.
My point is, I decided to treat Jerry like I thought Jesus would, not with judgment but with spirituality. Yes, I understand there are those who Jerry scarred who find it impossible to forget, and forgive---I really do understand. I came to him with none of this baggage.
I titled the book A SPECIES OF INSANITY not because he or those around him were insane, but because we as a species act in such insane ways that are not in accordance with what God intended---and I’m not just talking about crime but the way we deal with life. Yes, we are insane, don’t you agree? Look at our political situation where compassion is just a word. If Jesus were here, he’d probably go to Washington and drive Congress out with a whip. But enough of that!
I have interfaced with many others in my writing research, and each one had their own story. In that, as a writer I had the advantage of looking at the people through a wide-angle lens.
So, I will continue to write, to attempt to see the full picture, and hopefully this path will be equally satisfying and rewarding.
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