Behold the face of tragedy, a child, a convicted murderess glaring balefully at the camera.A soul in torment for whom life has nothing to offer and for whom it never has and probably never will.
What is her story? That I can't tell because I don't know it beyond what this article tells me.
And it tells me she was in "care" before she committed the crime that she plead guilty to.
And that social workers did their best
We and a team of experienced professionals had put every resource available into trying to help Tonya lead a normal life. We tried to give her guidance, allow her some freedoms and equip her with the skills she needed to live successfully in the community.
But can social workers give her what everybody needs and that is love?
Because I'll bet nobody ever sat this child on their knee and read her Dr Seuss books, or took her to ballet lessons. Or tucked her snuggly into her bed and said her prayers with her.
Some might look at that photo and see the face of evil. I don't, I see a neglected and wounded soul.
And I feel sadness.
1 Corinthians 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;