The Mildly Eccentric Friend, One More

You never knew where you might see his broad-brimmed brown leather hat, walking along in strange places, and usually with the grocery cart in front. Driving one day between Anderson, TX and Navasota, there was the hat, marching along toward Anderson, the county seat. I waved and hurried on to Navasota, keeping to schedule.

Next day, I saw him downtown and asked: "Where were you going yesterday?"

"To Anderson; I got a jury summons. I never had one of those before. What a privilege!"

Well, 30 years a merchant seaman, summons never came to him. So, it was a privilege.

"You walked?"

"Sure, only about 10 miles. What a privilege!"

One of our great liberties is anchored in the right to trial by a jury of our peers. As the comic said, it can be a scary thing to rest your fate in the hands and minds of 12 people who were too dumb to get out of jury duty!

And securing that right is not done by mobilized armies and marching troops,or by laws passed in Congress. Securing that right is done inside the mind and heart that honestly considers it a privilege to serve!

Jesus talked about that, in the sense that the reality-issues of life proceed from the commitment of the heart. And if selfishness replaces the sense of duty in enough hearts, we're all in deep trouble.

Love liberty? Serve on that jury when called!