Slave-drivers who practiced merciless perversion on Ms. Jaycee Dugard, Philip and Nancy Garrido are going to jail for a long time. Having fathered and delivered two more children into the world by this young lady, they have now been delivered to the law, once and for all. Their guilt will lock them up for far longer if they do not repent and come clean to the One who counts.
As for Ms. Jaycee Dugard, she has received $20 million settlement from the negligent and incompetent state of California, an enormous sum which will provide for her through the next phase of her life. No longer a hapless victim in recovery, she can step into life and fulfill her
From AP, which recorded her written statement read at the sentencing of the Garridos: "I chose not to be here today because I refuse to waste another second of my life in your presence. Everything you ever did to me was wrong and I hope one day you will see that." She asserted simply what was done to her. Ms. Dugard does the right thing to let the past go. She should not let the rampant evil perpetrated against her ruin the rest of her long and exciting life.
Dugard continues, "There is no God in the universe that would condone your actions," Dugard wrote to Nancy Garrido. No, certainly not, without a doubt. It is comforting that Dugard does not abandon her faith in God, despite the horrible evil that was inadvertently permitted to be perpetrated against her.
She also told Phillip Garrido "you do not matter anymore." Let him go, Jaycee. That's the way. Her rescue, recovery, and restoration will be an example to the world and be an encouragement to all those who suffer in silence at the hands of perpetrators and predators.
At the sentencing, the district attorney condemned Philip Garrido for stealing "the childhood and innocence from an 11-year-old child."
I take issue with the chronic condemnation. No one can steal a person's innocence. Viewed another way, childhood is shrouded in ignorance, but the restored purity of redemption more than compensates for any peace and safety lost, no matter how extreme the circumstances.
You CAN have your childhood restored! Everything can be restored! See Isaiah 63:
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek . . .
3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
And a few verses later, the LORD promises:
For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Consider also the glorious example of Joseph, betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, sold out by the lecherous wife of Potiphar to an unjust term in prison, only to promote to lead Egypt through a terrible famine. His two children speak of the glorious restoration he enjoyed: Manasseh–Forgetting the past; and Ephraim–Double portion for all his troubles.
Well did Jesus Christ promise "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5). This is also true for Ms. Dugard, if she is willing to live in His righteousness, which no one can take away from her.
No evil will ever have to threaten the new-found peace of Ms. Dugard, for Jesus Christ has also promised: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
What glory you have entered into, Ms. Dugard!