One of the most important things I’ve learned from God is forgiveness. This was so hard for me to learn because I felt that I had a right to hold a grudge and be bitter about what others have said and done to me throughout my life. It wasn’t until my mom told me this story about my uncle that changed my views on that. More than 15 years ago, my uncle, who is one of the sweetest guys I know, got into a really bad car accident because he was drinking. He never expected anything to happen just driving a short distance away from home but something did. Two mothers and their sons were crossing the street while my uncles car was not far off. He saw the traffic light turned red but it took him a few seconds too long to respond. My uncle called for help but it was too late, the four pedestrians died on impact. No matter how sorry he was he couldn’t take it back. He served time in jail and got some interesting responces from t
he family members of the women and children. One family said aweful things about my uncle and wished the worst upon him. The husband and other son of one of the women hurt so much from losing their loved ones that it seemed completely justifiable to not forgive him. However, the other husband astonished me. He went up to my uncle and instead of saying horrible things, he told my uncle that he forgave him.
That amazed me! I know God says to forgive people because God forgave us, but that was still so hard for me to understand until I heard this story. A light bulb turned on during this realization. It was undeserved forgiveness first given to us by God and He asks us to do the same. Whenever I find it hard to forgive someone I can hear the Holy Spirit remind me of that story and most importantly, of His painful sacrifice. Through it all, the Lord forgave me so I must do the same and forgive others.
