Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Romans 12:19-21 (The Message)

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We had a delightful time with three grandgirlies and one daughter last week. I played tour director this trip and the girls enjoyed each day’s activity. The weather was HOT so we headed to the water. Swimming at one of our pools or going to the local water park cooled everyone off—along with delicious gelato. We went to the movies one day and to the Flandrau Science Museum another. Shopping is always part of our time together, we’re girls after all. Mark took each girl for a golf cart ride in the early evening and Tori came back rattling off the numbers of the quail, jack-bunnies, deer, field mice, coyote, and road runners they had seen.

We love to have them visit and as they drove off we walked back into a very quiet house. Even Parker drooped. Grandparenting is one of my favorite roles. As a grandmother, I can’t help but think of Cindy Anthony today. Her loss and grief must be overwhelming.

I think you would be hard pressed to know nothing about the Casey Anthony trial unless you lived under a rock. The facts of the case are sketchy but a little girl is gone. I think the mother is a flake but no one really knows her involvement in the death of her child. “Justice” is bandied about by observers and pundits. But what is justice?

The Center for Economic and Social Justice defines it this way:

Functionally, “justice” is a set of universal principles which guide people in judging what is right and what is wrong, no matter what culture and society they live in. Justice is one of the four “cardinal virtues” of classical moral philosophy, along with courage, temperance (self-control) and prudence (efficiency). (Faith, hope and charity are considered to be the three “religious” virtues.) Virtues or “good habits” help individuals to develop fully their human potentials, thus enabling them to serve their own self-interests as well as work in harmony with others for their common good.

Was justice served in this case? We celebrated the 4th of July this week reminding us of the great sacrifice made on behalf of freedom for our republic. Unless we follow the rule of law, that was bravely fought for, we will have anarchy. These jurors made a decision based on the information they were given. Whether we agree or disagree on the verdict, ultimately, Casey Anthony will stand before her Maker for her final judgment.

Someone wrote a post on Facebook that challenged me. What if Casey Anthony moved into my neighborhood? Attended my church? Shopped in my grocery store? Would I respond to her in judgement or in love? Sobering questions. God is the one who metes out justice. My responsibility is to do good. Any thoughts?