I watched the Jaycee Dugard Interview on Sunday, mesmerized by her story.  What a great testimony of resilence, hope and mercy.  "Mercy" ?  Yes, mercy on her part toward the couple who kidnapped her and held her captive in a back yard for many years. 

Her smile, her laugh, her attitude was so captivating as the story poured out…..continually raped,  having two babies in a back yard, locked in a place with no windows or view of the outside for years, certainly convicted me of how much I take for granted. 

Her captors serving sentences in jail, as they should, are not keeping Jaycee captive to her memories.  She is busy renewing her life with her mother, taking care as she always has, the two daughters she has, and as I see it……overcoming evil with good.  What the devil has meant for evil God has turned to good.

What does God have to do with this?  In my heart I believe He was with  her and sustained her through all of this.  Why didn't God stop it or save her?  Maybe with  free will, we all have, man has been given authority and it takes action on someone's part so God can back it up.  There are questions in our heart about all tragedies and pain in the world; questions that may only be answered in eternity.

I know, experientially know, God is good, loving and merciful.  The fact that I believe Jesus was with Jaycee in all of this does not, in any way, take away all the credit she should have for her courage, her strength, her integrity and character in the face of overwhelming odds.  The lack of bitterness in Jaycee can be seen  on her beautiful face.  What an awesome woman…..she is truly amazing!