Craig Clouston

 

Help Me Forgive

December 20

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:19 NKJV

“Jean should be here by now,” Tracie told Ed. “She’s not answering her phone and her text said she’d be here around 9:30. I’m going over to the farm to see if something’s wrong.”

“Call me when you get there,” Ed responded.

Tracie’s mind wandered as she covered the three miles. But she could not have foreseen nor imagined what she was about to encounter. Pulling into the driveway, she spotted Jean lying behind the house, a pool of blood staining the snow around her head. Running to her side Tracie screamed, “Jean! Oh, no…Jean!” the horror of what had happened was inconceivable. No, God, please! This can’t be happening! Tracie’s mind was numb as she dialed 911.

The Sheriff’s report would state that Jean’s farmhouse had been broken into in what appeared to be a home invasion. At some point a gun became involved, and in defense of her home, Jean was brutally murdered.

†

A kind and godly woman, Jean would have given anyone anything they needed...as long as they asked. But as the murderer discovered, she would stand against anyone, or anything, that threatened her home and loved-ones.

Such a loss is deeply felt and intensely grieved. The devastation left in the wake of a crime so heinous and senseless is incalculable. The long-term effects can shatter and destroy the lives of those left behind if they fail to respond correctly, because when something like this happens our initial desire is to exact revenge. But revenge is as destructive as murder; it’s one of Satan’s most powerful weapons.

The only action that will bring freedom from such evil is forgiveness, but taking the first steps can seem impossible, because to forgive feels like we are betraying a close friend, yet choosing not to forgive fosters bitterness. Once rooted, bitterness chokes out everything good in our lives.

It will most likely take time, but asking God to give us the desire to forgive is a good place to begin. And God and time, given the chance, can heal even the deepest of wounds.

Prayer

“Lord God, forgiver of our sin, Give me the desire to forgive those responsible for Jean’s death. Help me forgive as You forgave us for killing Your Son. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”