In a heart-wrenching story posted by WCNC Charlotte out of North Carolina earlier this week, it was reported that a Mecklenburg County judge sentenced Q'laundra Hood after she pleaded guilty to felony hit and run and misdemeanor death by vehicle in the January death of 25-year-old Lance Sotelo, who was struck and killed while out for a run in east Charlotte.
Hood will serve 30 days in the Mecklenburg County Jail, followed by 36 months of supervised probation. She was also ordered to pay attorney, probation, and restitution fees.
Sotelo was killed on Jan. 14 in a hit-and-run crash that left his family and community reeling for months as they awaited the outcome of the case.
In court Tuesday, Hood read a letter aloud to Sotelo's family, asking for forgiveness and taking responsibility for her actions.
"I no longer want revenge. I want rehabilitation for her and the sake of her child," Sotelo's mother Jeanne said.
Hood will serve 30 days in the Mecklenburg County Jail, followed by 36 months of supervised probation. She was also ordered to pay attorney, probation, and restitution fees.
Sotelo was killed on Jan. 14 in a hit-and-run crash that left his family and community reeling for months as they awaited the outcome of the case.
In court Tuesday, Hood read a letter aloud to Sotelo's family, asking for forgiveness and taking responsibility for her actions.
"I no longer want revenge. I want rehabilitation for her and the sake of her child," Sotelo's mother Jeanne said.
And, you know, while it’s natural to want to seek revenge or to hurt or punish someone in response to a wrong, injury, or insult against us, the Bible tells us that we are not to avenge ourselves, but are to leave it to the wrath of God, “for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
This means that, even though wanting revenge feels normal when someone hurts us, we should not seek to punish them ourselves. Instead, we must let go of our anger and trust God to handle justice fairly in His own time. Especially when that person is truly sorry and willing to turn their life around.
This means that, even though wanting revenge feels normal when someone hurts us, we should not seek to punish them ourselves. Instead, we must let go of our anger and trust God to handle justice fairly in His own time. Especially when that person is truly sorry and willing to turn their life around.
You see, God avenges, or exacts satisfaction or retributive justice for an injustice, through His own perfect justice.
His motives are pure. God does not act out of selfish spite, rage, or petty hate. His actions are completely holy and fair.
His timing is perfect. God chooses the exact right moment to address wrongdoing. It may not happen as fast as people want.
His tools are chosen. God can use worldly laws and governments, the natural consequences of bad choices, or final spiritual judgment.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45
Furthermore, in addition to allowing God to enact His perfect justice, we are called to pray for those who have harmed us. This not only helps us release bitterness and bring peace to our hearts, it shows the love of Jesus… a love that could very well inspire those who have hurt us to seek the One who can change their lives in the same way He did ours.
So avoid the urge to enact revenge on those who have caused you harm my friend. Instead, pray for their repentance and their rehabilitation that they might come to trust in the Lord. This is something that will ultimately be for their good and for God’s glory.
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