Today's Devotional
December 20, 1833, was Samuel Mudd's birthday. Samuel Mudd grew up to be a physician who is famous because he was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Booth shot Lincoln and, during his escape, suffered a broken leg. He and his co-conspirator, David Herold, fled to Mudd's home, where Mudd treated the broken leg. Mudd did not report Booth or Herold to authorities for more than 24 hours.
As a result of his actions, Mudd's name is forever dragged through the mud.
So why am I writing about this blemish in American history? Well, December 20 is also my birthday. It is a day that I love and a day I relish each year. My grandfather once told me I should have a partner who thinks my birthday is the best day of the year. As a result, I have lived to know that I am amazing, and I should be celebrated on my day (and maybe a couple of others as well).
However, when we learn something that may be shameful in our past, on a particular day, or maybe about someone we admire, it tarnishes our understanding of something. Yet, it shouldn't.
A pastor friend told me, "When I die, tell people I did my best, but I made mistakes." He was tired of people talking about deceased loved ones as if they were the best person ever, never making a mistake and having faith that we should all aspire to. We all make mistakes, could have better faith and have shameful moments. Maybe not as disgraceful as Mudd, Booth or Herold's actions, but they too deserve to be seen as loved children of God, not just people to sling mud at.
God so loved the world that he sent his only son into it. God loves you and me. But we should also remember that God's love is beyond understanding and that it spreads to Mudd and many others we do not consider worthy.
— Rev. Rachel Heyduck, Heyduck Leadership Coaching, CTC
heyduckr@gmail.com
