Jim Thomas believed the man on trial was innocent, but he couldn't convince his fellow jurors to agree. After 8 hours of deliberation, he gave in and voted with the majority. But after the guilty verdict was rendered, he couldn't stop thinking that he had helped to convict an innocent man.

So Mr. Thomas spent his own money to hire an attorney to appeal the case. A few days into the proceedings, the alleged victim admitted he had lied, and the convicted man was set free. "I was a juror, and I helped make a wrong," Mr. Thomas said. "It had to be righted."

How easily I dismiss my own mistakes and lack of courage by saying, "Well, nothing can be done about it now." The story of Jim Thomas challenges me to rethink my attitude toward trying to make things right when I've failed others and done wrong.

One translation of Proverbs 14:9 says, "Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright." To a foolish person, a wrong done is no big deal, but a person of integrity and character is burdened to put it right.

If you have helped make a wrong, act quickly and courageously to make it right.  — David C. McCasland