What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

                                                            -Luke 11:11-12

A father is supposed to protect and provide for his family.  In fact, Sigmund Freud stated that during childhood, a father’s provision is essential.  Some may believe that this is controversial.  However, according to recent studies, this notion is a scientific fact.   Actually, a former Jacinto City little league president and coach, tried to provide for his beloved son, but his efforts took a turn for the worse. 

Christopher Vasquez’s four-year-old son had a liver transplant.  As a result, the boy’s mother had to stop working to provide constant care for her ailing child.  Thirty-five-year-old Christopher Vasquez would now be responsible for providing all financial support for him and his family.  Christopher worked two jobs to meet all financial obligations.  Unfortunately, this was still not enough to eradicate the financial stresses.   Therefore, Christopher, his wife, and his ill son were staying with Christopher’s brother, Cook Vasquez. 

Even though, Christopher worked diligently at his two jobs, his efforts could not reduce his son’s rising medical bills.  Blood work for his ailing child ranged from $1,000 to $1,600. 

According to reports, Coca-Cola officials presented the little league organization with a $17,000 check to improve the JC Little League Field, last September.  However, the organization did not reap the benefits of the funds.  On the contrary, Christopher’s brother stated that under normal circumstances, stealing was not in his brother’s character. 

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

                                                                                    -Matthew 6:14-15

Christopher Vasquez does not appear to be an appalling individual.  He may have committed an immoral and illegal act, but he had good intentions.  He was trying to provide for his ailing child, a child who recently had a liver implant, and a child whose medical bills continued to increase tremendously.    Christopher toiled at not one, but two jobs.  Regardless, he could not adequately meet the needs of his beloved son.  I am not condoning his behavior, but I am emphathizing with him because of his undying love for his child. 

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

                                                                        -Luke 6:36-37

In another case, employees summoned for police officers when a woman supposedly stole from a local supermarket.  As a result, officers Keith Bradshaw and Candace Spragins apprehended the suspect at her residence.  The suspect returned the $36 worth of food that she had taken for her and her children.  Corporal Bradshaw looked inside of the woman’s refrigerator and noticed that it was empty.  According to reports, the woman had been without food for three days.  Consequently, the officers decided to intervene and help the lady.  While she stood in front of the magistrate, the officers went to the grocery store and bought the lady and her family $140 worth of groceries.  Afterwards, they drove the individual home with her food.  She admitted to stealing the food, and she stated that she was desperate and sorry for committing the act; however, she continued by stating that she only behaved in this manner because her children were hungry. 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

                                                                                    -Matthew 25:35

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.                                                                                  

                                                                                    -James 2:14-18

In both cases above, crimes were committed by parents who love their children.  Of course, the courts charged them and both parents are awaiting trial.  The law does not condone this behavior, and as an attorney of the law, I do not condone the behavior, either.  However, as a human and follower of Christ, I do have compassion for these individuals, individuals that realize that their behavior was not necessarily right, but at the same time, behavior that was essential for the survival of their loved ones. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

                                                                                    – Paul 3:23

Sometimes, we all fall short of the glory of God.  In other words, we all make mistakes, and we have all sinned.  In our eyes, one sin may be greater than others, but in the eyes of God, all sins are equal.  Therefore, we must have compassion for all human beings.  As an attorney, I uphold the law, but as a human, I understand that unforeseen circumstances can sometimes influence individuals to commit acts that they would never adhere to under normal circumstances.  Unfortunately, we are not capable of preventing some dreadful situations from occurring.   Life happens.  Our children become ill.  We lose our jobs.  We are unable to pay the mortgage or the medical bills.  Moreover, we are unable to purchase food for our children to eat.  What do we do?  Do we allow our children to perish because of a misfortune?  Would you allow the unimaginable to occur to the ones that you love?  You would probably do everything in your power to assist those that mean the most to you.  This is my goal as your criminal defense attorney, to make the best of an unfortunate yet understandable and relatable situation. None of us are free from sin.  Sometimes, we all need someone to lend a helping hand.