Article October 8, 2018 Issue

True leadership

Gloria Goodale

As I ponder a divided political landscape, I often think about an experience that taught me about true leadership and how it can heal division wherever it appears in our lives. Seeing how prayer brought resolution to a contentious jury deliberation strengthened my conviction that turning to God to heal seemingly intractable conflicts is both practical and applicable to any situation, large or small.

About ten years ago I was on a jury for a felony DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) case. We sat through a week of testimony from the defendant and his girlfriend as well as numerous police officers and expert witnesses. Then we went to the jury room to decide the case.

After I was elected foreperson of the jury, the very next thing we did was poll the members to see where everyone stood. We were split almost down the middle for and against conviction. We decided to go around the room to share and explain our personal opinions. I thought it would be helpful for me to be both firm and clear about my opinion, so I strongly stated what I felt should be the outcome of the case.

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