Hello friends,
Do you know you are ONE CHOICE away from a different life??? It's true...
I recently read this article about Aaron Deveau from Massachusetts. Long story short (I'll post a link to the story below if you would like to read it), he was texting and driving. He crossed the double yellow line and killed a father of three and injured his girlfriend. Aaron was 17 at the time of the incident and 18 now. His trial just concluded with him receiving 2.5 years in prison, 40 hours of community service, and a suspended license for 15 years.
I read about stories like these all of the time, but for some reason, this story stuck out to me. I am deeply sorry that a life was lost in the accident. It's absolutely horrible that three children won't have their father in their lives. I don't want to lose the fact that a guy won't be coming home to his family tonight because of the decision of another young man. But my heart really goes out to the young man who caused this wreck. His life is forever altered because of ONE CHOICE to send a text while driving. The lives of the family members (on both sides) are forever altered by his ONE CHOICE.
Maybe this story stuck out because the guy is close to my age. I could not imagine being sentenced to a prison term when I was 18 years old!!! Maybe it stuck out because I'm guilty sometimes of texting and driving...are you? I'd say we've all sent at least one text while on the road. Unfortunately, it's in our culture as fast-paced Americans.
With that being said, I don't think this guy should go unpunished. I'm just not sure if prison is the best option. I'm looking from the outside in. But, I can only imagine that if my dad was killed by another person's mistake; I'd be angry, resentful, and unforgiving. If I was in the shoes of the family, I'd want him to be punished for the rest of his life. I'm just being honest. The family has every right to be angry. But is the justice system creating another casualty by sending Aaron to prison? What if there was another way...
Aaron has great potential to turn his mistake into a testimony. What if he went around high schools all over the country to tell of his mistake and act as a warning to other kids texting & driving? What if he could be used for the greater good. Again, this would be best case scenario...
This stands as a reminder to me, and it should be one for you too. We are all just one decision away from a different life. I don't know what my future holds, but I know the One who holds my future.
Would you join me in prayer for the families and Aaron Deveau? I'm asking God to use Aaron's testimony to shape the lives of others and to prevent this from happening to countless others throughout the country. I'm praying for the family who lost their father...that God would use their testimony to demonstrate God's love, forgiveness, and grace.
Aaron Deveau Story
Nkwagala,
Adam
