Sign of the Times

After thirty years of public school teaching my brother-in-law retired. His retirement brought peace, contentment, and renovations. The burden of endless regulations and parent teacher meetings faded into the wastebasket of old memories. The good times arrived with cruises and community good works. With a clear conduct record, the school board confidently assigned fill in teaching assignments. Until a phone call from the police department crashed into my brother-in-law’s perfect conduct record.

At thirteen years of age, the conquering spirit of my brother-in-law bounded over cancer. Even the loss of a leg due to cancer couldn’t stop the urge to achieve great things. Until an accusation about sexual misconduct shattered the dreams and a perfect conduct record. A former student from twenty years ago filed an accusation with the police department. The enemy’s tactics knows no limits. Satan is the ultimate accuser. Take heed about this sign of the time: "Fear none of those thins which thou shalt suffer. Behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried…." (Revelation 2: 10 NKJV)

After the interview, finger printing, and photo, the charge of sexual assault shocked more than his family. The school board removed my brother-in-law’s name from any further fill in teaching assignments. If that wasn’t enough to instill a guilty feeling within my brother-in-law, the school board regulations hindered my brother-in-law from all contact with former students and teachers. Don’t be fooled! Guilty until proven innocent is another sign of the time.

Words of warning, if you are a teacher or youth worker, protect yourself. Never teach without a partner. Never be alone with a student. Piano teachers, file your lessons with all young students. You never know when or how an accusation shatters your future plans. Your enemy – Satan – seeks someone to devour.

If wrongfully accused, bring an attorney with you to the police station. Know you legal rights. Because of the sing of the time requires that all saints guard against any future accusations. Once a criminal charge is laid life never returns to a former innocence. The seeds of doubt cloud any former friendships. Heartache and misunderstandings invade your future plans and pleasant retirement. So, pray for protection for your family members, Sunday school teachers, or youth workers before this sign of the time destroys more perfect conduct records.

Copyright 2008 Patricia Charlton