The Power Of The Decisions We Make

So begins the 6+ hour drive from Yulee to Miami, Florida. I had a lot of time to think about life, death and everything in between on this drive. There is nothing to sober you up like a ride to a federal court house to hear a judge decide your future! I did a lot of praying that day, funny thing about being in the middle of a crisis, you finally are in a humbled position to truly see your lack and find your need for God!

My sister-in-law Jessica endured this entire process with me, praise God for my family, full of love, grace and mercy! She had found a decent hotel not too far from the courthouse and mapped out the area and did what she does best, planned this trip for us on the fly! I was in such a daze on that ride that I don't even remember the drive, I can't even remember if it was me that drove or not. All I remember is crying out to God for help and peace!

Finally we made it to the hotel, unpacked our small luggage and set out to find the courthouse and finalize our plans for the following day. Rest that night actually came quickly, somehow I had managed to find true peace in the midst of the storm, to be honest I have no idea how that happened. In fact it was really just God's mercy allowing His peace to flow over me, there was no 10-step process that brought me here, it was by the sheer mercy of the Father!

We awoke early that morning and enjoyed breakfast together at the hotel, Jessica really reached out to me in this time of my life, totally undeserved, she showed me the love of Christ! After breakfast and a quick stop at Starbucks for a little fuel we began the 8 block walk to the federal courthouse, in what felt like slow motion. There was little conversation between the two of us and a lot of conversation with God. There again, He becomes so important to us when we are in a time of crisis!

We arrived to this beautiful, old building and were greeted by federal security, this one was very helpful and pleasant, which usually isn't the case! While waiting outside the courthouse Jessica was approached by several lawyers with greetings of esteem, I guess the way she was dressed and her professional look they assumed she was a fellow bar member! Finally the doors swung open and we were escorted inside where I met Mrs. Faith Meznikoff, my Public Defender to be. She was a very kind woman who offered much council to Jessica and myself.

There were many people there including a large group all chained together in shackles, everyone of them illegal immigrants. I heard cases of all types, from drug smuggling to human trafficking to just expired visas and women trying to have their babies in this country for better lives. My mind was wondering on all the cases I listen to drifting in and out of the courthouse, when suddenly... Samuel Forbes, docket number : 07-20876-CR-MARTINEZ. My case had been called, let the sweat begin!

"What is your legal name?" Asked Judge Martinez. Oh my, what is my name... "Uhm uhm uhm, Samuel Andrew Forbes," I said in a faint whisper. "Sir could you speak into the microphone?" Said Judge Martinez. "Sorry, Samuel Andrew Forbes"

He continued to ask several questions as to my identity, as if someone else had come in my place that day, man I wish! Then after a few minutes Mrs. Meznikoff stepped into the picture and I had no more to say, she took over for me. Praise God! I was totally unprepared for this. I have no idea what was spoken between them that day, all I know is that my turn was over and I was being escorted out of the courtroom by federal marshalls, who were taking me to processing. I still wasn't sure if they were going to let me go.

They took us down a long hall and down three flights of stairs to a door, where I was asked to remove my tie, belt, watch and my life band. The marshall informed Jessica that they were just going to process me and then I'd be free to go, did you hear that, free to go! They assured her this would only take no more than 30min. So in I went.

When I got in they asked my name and told me to wait on this bench. So I took a seat and waited, thanking God that I would be going home today! And there I sat and waited and waited and waited some more. Evidently several vans and a bus had arrived with prisoners in transit, so the processing had to wait until all were transferred safely. There was a little scuffle between two inmates and some very vulgar exchanges between a female and some male inmates. So for my safety I was moved to a small room until all the others were brought through. What was to be a 30 minute process ended up an almost 4 hour process, but finally I was processed and released!

Wow, what a long day, we were going for about 12 hours by the time we had lunch, which ended up being our dinner too! And now it was time for the drive home, to go back to work the following day! God's had was all over this, He was putting things in motion, to bring about a miracle for me! He was declaring Jehovah-Jireh over me that day!