"Past conduct is indicative of future behavior."

-Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County, Fl.

The above explanation was offered to the media as reason for denying employment to individuals who had previous transgressions or brushes with the law.

That statement, so simple and human, at first blush seems so reasonable. A closer examination, however, reveals a different darker reality.

First of all, the adage,"to err is human; to forgive is divine" becomes meaningless.

This may come as a revelation to all you so-called perfect people.

People fail.

People make mistakes.

People fall down.

People let you down.

People disappoint you.

People fall short of your expectations.

People are imperfect.

People miss the mark.

And people sin and transgress the law of God.

Nobody anywhere has ever done it or gotten it right all the time.

Suppose God had said, "Why bother? They are corrupt. They have done corrupt things, are predisposed to evil and will always behave in a corrupt manner."

Where would you be?

Every one of us at some time or another needs or will need some forgiveness, a measure of faith, a dollop of trust and a portion of mercy.

You have to chance an arm.

You have to risk a deed.

You must gamble with your own heart.

Life by the "no mistakes tolerated" dogma is no life at all.

You deny your own humanity and short-circuit and curtail dreams, aspirations and second chances.

If you had the opportunity to speak with all the great men, past and present, who have walked the face of the earth, from Moses to Mahatma, without exception, they would tell you, "I've fallen short, missed the goal, did not meet expectations and if I had the ability to do life again, I would do it differently and better the next time."