Where Was the Alford Plea When I Needed It?

While reading the newspaper over the past couple of days, I have noticed that in several of the articles about court cases, the defendant has entered the 'Alford Plea. ' I was somewhat familiar with this plea, but until recently I had never thought about how handy that might be in other areas of life.

The Alford Plea originated from a court case here in Forsyth County in 1970. It made it's way to the Supreme Court and became recognized as an acceptable plea when charged with a crime. It allows the defendent to claim his innocence while recognizing that there might be enough evidence to convict him. This is often used by a defendent who wishes to take the benefits of a plea deal without actually pleading guilty.

Somewhere in all of the moral confusion and twisting of the truth, it does appear to be a way to soften the punishment.

As an elementary school student you are escorted to the principal's office. Obviously there has been some accusation of wrong doing. Trying to get to the bottom of the incident, the principal asks, "Did you glue the teachers pen to her desk?" Nervously you shift around as you stand there before the throne of education debating how you will respond. The admission of guilt will certainly bring punishment. The admission of innocence will require some quick and artful thinking. And if not convincingly presented, this, too, will bring punishment. So, you lift your eyes and respond, "Sir, I enter the Alford Plea." It sounds good, but don't count on it helping you.

If I am honest with myself, I often consider the Alford Plea when I'm being straight with God. You see, my pride will not allow me to admit any guilt, but my faith requires that I do. There's an internal battle raging. I know I'm guilty of not doing and being all that God has enabled to be, yet I want all of the mercy possible, therefore, I enter the Alford Plea.

In the celestial courts there is grace. When we sin there will be consequences. Often those consequences are brought on by our actions. Then there is the matter of our relationship with God. We are forgiven when we admit our failings. Pardoned. Freed to start over accompanied by our promise to do better the next time. If that sounds like an easy way out and permission to keep on messing up when you know better, you've missed the point. When we get real with who we are and who God is, we'll be overwhelmed by His grace and mercy and desire to do better.

As for the pen glued to the teacher's desk. I did it.

Did I Hear You Correctly?

A couple in their nineties were both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but as a precaution they might want to start writing things down to help them remember.

Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. 'Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?' he asks.
'Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?' asked his wife.
'Sure.'
'Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?' she asks.
'No, I can remember it,' he replied.
'Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so as not to forget it?'
He says, 'I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.'
'I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?' she asks.
Irritated, he says, 'I don't need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!'
Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and asks, 'Where's my toast?'
(Thanks to Glenn Davis for this laugh.)