Forgiveness

I always thought there where  crimes a person would never forgive. One of them is being murder. How could someone forgive someone for taking away one of their loved ones? Sometimes I struggle with forgiveness. Forgiving someone who has wronged me or someone who has hurt me in the past used to be a deal breaker.

After reading the book Set Free: Discover Forgiveness Amidst Murder and Betrayal

by Author‚ Steven Owens and Author‚ Ken Abraham‚ he forgave his mother for hiring someone to murder his Father‚ his journey to forgive his Mother of murder made me think that anyone can forgive no matter what the scarring situation is. It took him 26 years to forgive her. The length of time Gaile Owens had been spending in prison for murdering his Dad.  It  took many trials and hardship to get to that place. However‚ the story is  abundant with redemption and forgiveness.

His Mother‚ Gaile Owens‚ was facing the death penalty as the first woman in Tennessee in 189 years. The sentencing occurred on January 15^th‚ 1986. She didn’t have a chance of getting life in prison. In addition‚ the public defender didn’t help the situation and the only way she could get life in prison is if the man she hired to kill her husband pleaded guilty as well. Well‚ he changed his mind at the last minute and she received the death penalty. Of course she didn’t help the case by keeping quiet about the details and what the reasons where for committing the crime. She didn’t want to drag her children through the media or through a trial where they had to ask more than … heart-breaking questions. With all the details from the book‚ it made me feel she did have remorse for the crime and she would take it back in a second.

By reading this story it changed my mind about the death penalty. I don’t believe people should get the death penalty. God I believe in says‚ “Though shalt not murder” and It shocks me that I never thought of it when people committed horrific crimes. I always thought that if they did the deed; then‚ they would have to suffer the consequences. However‚ after reading this book it has changed my tune.  Also‚ if they die; then‚ they don’t have to think about the consequences anymore. If they spend life in prison without the possibility of parole; then‚ they have to sit in there day after day in that cell thinking about what they did. To me that would be a  grueling punishment then execution.

Stephen Owens had an uphill battle toward getting to the point of forgiveness. However‚ he was willing to go the distance so he no longer had that bleeding hate in his soul. By forgiving it stops people-living rent free in one’s head.  The heart becomes softened and compassion materializes over time.  By picking up this book this man showed me what forgiveness can  do. Some people live with resentment for years and it eats them up and colors their world. I fallen prey to this myself. However‚ I don’t want to live that way anymore. This book is a true example of what being in God’s will means. I’d rather be there then stuck in my own prison of hate. Stephen Owen’s showed me I want a big heart rather than a heart full of hatred. If you are struggling with forgiveness and it is eating you up‚ read this book. It May change your perspective and give some insight.

Are you struggling with forgiveness in your life? What are your thoughts on the death penalty?

You can find Stephen Owen’s book  at Amazon.com