Expect the unexpected

Do or Die? Apparently, it's neither. The judge didn't want to pass any order yesterday. Instead, they will arrange for a Family Conference.

I am apprehensive. I am, again, living in ambiguity. My big boss painted a grey picture of what a family conference could turn out to be. The facilitator chosen by the court, ain't not exactly the most positive one for the family. Although I was out with friends last night, I couldn't help but return home to 'research' on what Court's family conferences would be like and I am astounded in shock!

Objectives of these Family Conferences could include:

• reprimanding the offender
• administering a formal caution to the offender
• requiring the offender to pay compensation to the victim(s) of the offence
• requiring the offender to apologise to the victim(s) of the offence
• resolving any relationship problems between the Child or Young Person and the Parent or Guardian which will aid the rehabilitation of the juvenile
• or requiring the offender to do such other act as the family conference thinks appropriate in the circumstances

The entire process is very very punishing. It's unlike the Family Group Conferences which I had conducted before that was aimed to empower family with the help of community resources. I am saddened, truly, to know that our system is one that is punishing and not filled with grace and opportunity to give some young person hope & love. I still stand firm that the only person who could have the power to set examples for a young person is an adult. If a young person go wrong, it is highly due to the wrong decisions made by the adults in their lives. And in such a situation, whose fault is it really?

I am not trying to pinpoint whose fault is whose or play judge here. However, I am indeed sadden that with such a process, how then can the young person have the motivation to change for the better? A young person needs to be nurtured, loved and cared for, not punished.

That being said, I managed to relax a little after being uptight for the longest time in my life (I think). I got 9 hours of slumber. I woke up and reflected my yesterday and I thought that God is humorous. Just when I thought it's either one decision or another, the unexpected surface. In all our preparation, my bosses and I never predicted that the conclusion would be a family conference. Looking at it in the positive light, there is still hope. At the very least, I can assure the family that hope is still there!

I thought to myself, isn't this pretty the same with God - to expect the unexpected? Just when we thought that humankind is a gone-case with sin and all, God chose to make the most unexpected decision - to die for us. I was just thinking back 2000 over years ago, what kind of human would I be like? Whose side would I be standing on? Would I be one of the persecutors or would I be standing by Jesus? And if I were one of the persecutor, would I expect that this man would die for me? Even if I am standing by Jesus, would I expect this man to die for all sins? Like in the bible, Jesus did tell his disciples that His time is up but they thought Jesus was just talking nonsense and brushed him aside.

In the darkest of the night, Jesus was captivated by his persecutors and was hung on the cross. Even the thought of it, cringes me. But SUCH is the love of God, that He chose to do the expected thing. He could have just sat on His throne and look down in dismay but He did not. He was so compassionate and filled with love. He was so filled with kindness and grace. He gave what we did not deserve. For that, I am so eternally filled with gratitude.