ENCOURAGEMENT 28 october 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition Young love... the source of so many recollections. A long trek down memory lane led me to a distant conversation with a friend who reminisced about events that shaped the course of his days. A successful entrepreneur, dutiful husband and doting father, it was quite interesting to hear his take on "what could have been" had he followed through on his youthful inclinations. Reared in New York City of Hispanic heritage, my pal recounted how he had navigated through his adolescent years and then began to trek through young adulthood... in love. So, in the midst of passion and assorted emotions... and love, of course, he informed his hard-working conservative Puerto Rican parents that he would be leaving home to marry his young princess. Much to his surprise, his father was quite amiable about his decision and only asked him to grant him one day alone prior to his departure. He was stunned when on the selected date, his dad took him early in the morning to Queens County Divorce Court and asked to join him in the rear of the chamber. His father asked nothing of him besides to listen to the proceedings. They sat there for hours, during which a litany of married couples filed in front of the judge manifesting many types of emotion... hate, anger, resentment, jealousy, pride, disgust, distrust, apathy and ruthlessness among many others... no love. The young man was introduced to the many ways relationships deteriorate if not properly maintained, the fragile nature of our personalities and the importance of serious due diligence prior to undertaking significant decisions. Needless to say, he recounted, a "deeper dive" became the operative phrase after that fateful day; and "sad" to say, the marriage was postponed... indefinitely. In fact, he remained a bachelor until the age of 39 when he found the "love of his life." A packed courtroom made all the difference in the world; it brought him to the crossroads of his life. Crossroads I have witnessed many crossroads throughout my years in and out of courtrooms. For many, these government buildings are synonymous with minor inconveniences, such as a traffic ticket, jury duty or probate court. Most admit that the place feels like a creepy zone, marked by an awkward and somewhat tense ambiance, much like the dentist's office. Even though we are usually there for short-lived moments, it can lead us to the awareness that there are basically only two groups of people... the caught and the uncaught. Very few of us will "hang around" the place such as my friend was forced to do; we prefer "one and done," to leave the proceedings and go on with our lives. And why not, the location is chock-full of lawyers, judges, clerks, probation officers, stenographers, translators, bailiffs... and "guilty people." Yet, for many, many years this was my special domain, comfort zone, the place to be. Much like my buddy, this setting took me to a juncture that led to life altering consequences. All that I "brought to the party" as a newly hired fed was a master's degree, totally inadequate for the job at hand. My colleagues were not only formally educated but were "street smart." They could smell my apprehension, and why not, fear, and acted accordingly, leaving me to fend for myself in a menacing environment. In short order, I became the "odd man out," not what was expected, a chosen profession gone wrong. And just about when the time came to "pull the plug," an undercover assignment led to seizures, indictments, arrests, hearings and finally a trial. My first taste of federal court put me on a collision course with a judge appointed in perpetuity who was given the power of a "king," not to mention highly paid and experienced criminal defense attorneys prepared to ambush me. In the spotlight, a novice investigator who would be "grilled" for hours on the stand, this would be much worse than the dentist's office for me. And then something startling occurred... I absolutely loved "telling my story" to the judge, jury, lawyers, defendants and the packed house; hours of direct and cross examination, rebuttals, re-direct and re-cross; then, finally, to my chagrin, the court told me to step down... already?? I fell in love with the job; not the investigations, covert operations, travel, "power," remuneration, arrest or seizures… it was all about sharing wild escapades with a willing audience, opposing counsel, an attentive jury and of course, the "king." A spiritual court The comfort in facing a hostile crowd led to my fondness for public speaking; and the rest is history. Never did I imagine, however, how this would apply to my spiritual walk and what a daily battle it would be to make progress in this arena. The emotions revealed in divorce court by my friend decades ago helped me to seek the fruits of the spirit today... "joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... against such things there is no law. Jesus came not to abolish but to fulfill the law as He gave us a new commandment, you must love one another just as I have loved you." Better said than done; I am so aware yet so rebellious. The zeal of my testimony in man's court does not match my tepid discourse regarding the price Jesus paid for my salvation. The guilty verdict often heard from the jury box does not translate to admitting my daily wrongdoings and truly repenting for my misdeeds. The pride that came out of the witness box during my presentations has not disappeared as I make occasional attempts to witness about what Christ means in my life. Jesus exemplified for me the sanctity of marriage in being the groom to the church bride; my response is a too common simplistic attitude in relating to my wonderful wife. The oath "to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God" still rings in my ears as I continue to utter disingenuous remarks. My loathing for defense attorneys who defended the guilty has not turned into true adoration for my spiritual Defense Attorney, who shed His blood to insure my innocence at the Final Judgment. And finally, the most precious connection of all. In earth's court, the magistrates or "kings" overlooking the proceedings have the final word... or think they do. In Heaven's court, the verdict has already been declared, and it is both ultimate and perfect. "The book of life was opened, and the dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. If anyone's name is not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Then the New Jerusalem descended resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. He will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away"... so says the King of Kings and the Lords of Lords; PERFECT LOVE. Omar Aleman is a retired federal agent and consultant. He and his wife Julianne assist and support several Christian non-profit organizations both here and abroad. Truth or Consequences - Omar Aleman - Aleman and Associates
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