Modern Day Tragedy: The 5 Browns

That's pretty remarkable and will spare the family a trial. Maybe he did it because he was scared of worse sentencing, but for whatever reason, it's a blessing. They won't have to argue all the details in court for public consumption.

The thing that comes to mind about their visit was the story - shared by each of the daughters at their concert in more detail - of their "rebellion" when they got to NYC and entered music school - but then finding that their faith in Christ was the most important thing i their lives. Hearing the confession of their father, i marvel that they only acted out to this little extent - which speaks volumes about the depth of their true faith.

Modern Day Tragedy:

Today I read a story that profoundly made me sad.

A few years ago I had the privilege to attend a conference and speaking engagement performed by the 5 Browns. They played marvelously, but their talks seemed stilted and without much emotion. They spoke of their faith in God, of their family values, and of their unity. Only a few months later they "moved on" from having their father manage the group. At the time, they held a dark secret that was just revealed this week. Keith Brown, the father of the quintet, had sexually abused his three daughters years before. By the report and charges, he had abused the girls while they were younger than 14.

Now that the revelations of the past have come out, it will be easy to focus on the bizarre findings and facts; at his hearing, Keith was supported by his sister in law who sat next to him as the charges were read and as he pleaded guilty, or the bizarre "accident" a few days before when Keith and his wife drove their car over a cliff and fell 300 feet and survived; or that the two sides differed over who brought the facts to light; or that they were a family of Faith in God, that spoke of family values. The father said he first confessed to his Bishop, and the prosecutors say that only happened when charges were filed.

I feel anger towards that man. Those children of such a marvelous talent! But even more, the young depend so much on their parents. How could he! Yes, he will suffer for this. He must serve a minimum of 10 years in prison, and it will not go well for him in prison. But that will not heal the wounds. Punishment never much heals the wounds of the afflicted.

As the group of siblings press forward, pray for them. Yes, the first step towards their healing finally took place. But the next years will almost certainly contain the scars from the past, and the public scrutiny will envelope them.

I thought about what I could do to really help them, and found that I was not sure. Then I thought; Buy their albums, or even just one. They have worked so hard to have success. Yes, I will be a small part of that! It is not much, but what can I really do?

I welcome any thoughts that you might have to help this family struck by tragedy much worse than death.