My First Trial is Over!

I had court this morning about 3 hours away at 8:30 (which means I woke up at 4 and left at 5 AM), and that wasn't too bad.

But I had a trial today back here in the Valley that I have really not been looking forward to for a couple of weeks--the opposing counsel was actually being considered for a judgeship, and I really didn't know how it was going to pan out.

I got back from my morning court date around 12:30 and stopped by my office to make some copies, but I was otherwise unable to do ANYTHING before I left because all I could think about was the upcoming trial in town at 2:00.

They put on their case, I put on mine and at the end of the day, I got judgment in favor of my client (the defendant, so it was dismissed). I was thrown a couple of curves during the trial and I honestly didn't think we'd come out victorious, but God was faithful in giving me favor with the judge. It feels so good that it's over now, and I'm glad I was able to get a good result for my client.

My boss even let me go home a little early since I'd been up for about 12 hours, which was nice. I think my wife and I are going out to eat tonight to celebrate, which should be fun.

And as an example that it's not like what you see on TV, the opposing attorney came over after the case was done and congratulated me, telling me I did a good job. Don't believe what you see on television--the bar (what we call the group of attorneys that practice before the courts) is on the large whole a great group of men and women of integrity who you can argue with before the judge but yet after court go grab a bite to eat with or play golf with on the weekend. Most people think that we're mean to each other and that somehow helps them in their case, when in fact it does quite the opposite--if opposing counsel have good rapport, it makes any litigation go much smoother (or may even prevent it--good attorneys aren't deliberately trying to delay or make it difficult for the other side). Being an attorney is a privilege (which I could tell you by the fact that the Bar is quite busy policing itself and takes infractions VERY seriously) and I consider it a privilege to be counted among them.

Wham! A Dose of Spurgeon to the Side of the Head!

On Tuesday night I headed to Northern Virginia for one of my overnight trips (I drive up to the county where I am having court the next morning since the court time is so early that I am allowed a hotel stay so I don't have to get up early and drive it). I was not feeling too great about work, thought about the mistakes I've made over the past months and I just wished in passing (like I'm sure Christians have wont to do), "Jesus, just take me to heaven away from this trouble so I can be with you, where there is no suffering or trial."

AND THEN I READ SPURGEON'S MORNING READING FOR MAY 2nd. The Scripture? John 17:15: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." This is what Jesus asked the Lord, that we would be in the world and while kept from Satan, this does not mean that we are to be shielded from all trial and suffering--ouch!

Spurgeon comments that while we would ask to be taken away to the heavens, "Christ does not pray like that, He leaves us in His Father's hands, until like shocks of corn fully ripe, we shall each be gathered into our Master's garner." Even more, he states that staying here on earth (and going through trials and suffering) is "needful" for others if not ourselves.

But you know what observation struck me the most? Spurgeon comments that "Christians often want to die when they have trouble." Ask yourself--have you ever wished to be with the Lord in the same manner when you are blessed and things are going well as when you are suffering? The most striking thing he said is: "They (meaning Christians who want to get rid of their sufferings) want to go home, not so much for the Saviour's company, as to be at rest."

WOW. In other words, unless I can be as Paul and say truly, "to live is Christ and to die is gain" and our desire to go to Christ is one based in a desire solely to be with Him then we'd better wait on God in the midst of our strife and trust that He'll take us when He's ready. After all, He's God and we're not--we should seek to glorify Him until He does.