Slow Fade

I've been thinking a lot about character lately. It's amped up in the last few days as I got news of a former school acquaintance being arrested for embezzlement. These are people I have known, while not closely, for many years. We all went to school together. I went to their wedding. This only happens to other people on news shows in other communities.

I keep asking myself, "How could this happen?". If the allegations are accurate, did he not think there are consequences to his actions? Did he not think about his future, not to mention their kids? Did he not think he'd get caught? Then I picture him sitting in a jail cell, or his living room if he's out on bail, with his head in his hands asking that very question, "How did this happen?". My heart melts with empathy. No, not because I've done the exact thing he has... but because I've experienced the 'how did this happen' in my own life.

In what probably seemed like 'overnight', his life went from good to bad. Mine did too. But on further examination, it turns out that the small decisions I make on a daily basis impact the big picture of my life. Many of the areas where I experience problems did not happen in a 24 hour period, but rather are the culmination of days, months, even years of poor decisions and compromises. That slight compromise seems to go by without any repercussion, leading to a larger step in the wrong direction, which leads to the spiral downward. So, yes, I can all to readily understand where it starts, which humbles me to cast prayers upward instead of condemnation outward. It also drives me to cling to the admonition in I Cor. 10:12 ~ Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

My favorite lyricist in contemporary Christian music is Mark Hall from Casting Crowns. To me, he seems to be able to drill down to the heart of a matter, beautifully blending grace and mercy on the backdrop of God's holiness. Below is one of my favorites:

Slow Fade
Mark Hall

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see