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Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Fiorello LaGuardia was the maverick mayor of New York City during the Depression. His ways of doing business were unorthodox, but usually appreciated. On one dark winter’s night in 1935, he arrived unannounced at court and dismissed the presiding judge for the evening session. One case he dealt with concerned a destitute grandmother accused of stealing a loaf of bread. She told LaGuardia of all her woes – how her daughter’s husband had deserted her, her daughter was sick and her grandchildren were at home hungry. But the storekeeper that she’d stolen from maintained a hard line: “Your Honour, you need to punish her to teach other people a lesson. Otherwise, it’ll happen again in this bad neighbourhood.”
Reluctantly, the mayor sighed, delivered his verdict, and addressed the old lady: “I’ve got to punish you. The law makes no exception – ten dollars or ten days in jail.” But as soon as he’d made his pronouncement, he pulled a $10 bill out of his pocket and said: “Here is the woman’s fine… and furthermore, I’m going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a city where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant.”
The New York Times ran an article the following day on how $47.50 was turned over to the bewildered old woman. Among the contributors were the red-faced store owner, some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations and city policemen – and a standing ovation accompanied the handover of the money!
Thank God that’s how he treats us! “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). There is always hope, whatever our circumstances. May we live hopeful lives today. And as Jesus said: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
Lord, I choose to live a hope-filled life of extravagant grace and mercy today. Amen!
This week, we launched our Back To School 2026 initiative. We are wanting to give each of the 962 families across all our GLO Partners £42. About the same as raised in the New York court room! It will provide essential books, stationary and uniform to get their children back to school this year. Will you help us?
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