Forgiveness

       It’s the worst thing that could happen to a parent- the death of a child.  Early on Oct. 2, 2006 in Nickel Mines, Pa., a 32 year old man stormed into an Amish school house, terrorized, shot 10 young girls then committed suicide; five of the girls died.  The man was Charles Roberts IV and he left behind a wife and three children.  Can you forgive the man who killed your child?  Many parents every year are faced with this question.  I can only hope my answer would be yes, but…

       The Bible teaches us that we have all sinned (Rom. 3:23) and need a Savior for forgiveness of our sins (Col. 2:13,14).  Even after we are ‘saved’ we still sin (1Jn. 1:8; 5:17) and need forgiveness

(1Jn. 1:9).  The Amish community knew this and decided to forgive the man and show kindness to his family.  Soon after the incident, Amish men and women visited and comforted Roberts’ family, about 30 went to his funeral, and they set up a charitable fund for the Roberts family.  Is this too much?  Many of us would not even think of such kindness let alone show such compassion so soon after our own loss.  What made the difference?

       Herman Bontrager said, “The Amish believe that we must forgive because we ourselves need to be forgiven. [They're] trying to live the way Jesus lived.”  “Tragedy changes you. You can't stay the same,” Jonas Beiler says. “Where that lands you don't always know. But what I found out in my own experience if you bring what little pieces you have left to God, he somehow helps you make good out of it…”

       Jesus said, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Mt. 6:14,15)  Even on the cross in pain, sorrow and shame, Jesus said, “…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)  He had compassion on us even then.  Paul also wrote about the subject: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32)

       Forgiving doesn’t mean moving on and forgetting what happened.  It means moving forward to begin healing.  The Amish families, and all those who have lost children, have many years of heartache and healing to get through, but as Beiler said, “if you bring what little pieces you have left to God…”  In God is healing (Ps. 147:3), unending love (Rom. 8:35-39), deliverance (2Tm. 4:18) and forgiveness (Ps 86:5) for all who come.  If you are broken in little pieces, know there is a God who loves you and holds His arms open wide to show you His love.

Father, for all who have suffered terrible losses, please pour Your love upon their hearts and let Your healing power flow in their lives.