Forgiveness ~ A Beautiful Act

Our hearts go out to those victim's families. It's unimaginable that something like this can actually happen! 

It's very difficult to wrap our heads around such a tragedy. Colorado is still recovering from the Aurora Theater Shooting and it's something that will just unite us more in the end. We just hope that everyone in SC finds peach and support. 

For anyone who's not been hit with a tragedy like this, it's so hard to comprehend the act of forgiveness. Thanks for such a thoughtful and well-written post on this subject, Paul McDonald.

Paula, your post is beautiful. When those in the depth of sorrow and horror can practice forgivenes, shouldn't we all try that much harder to do so same?

I have always been a very forgiving person. That doesn't mean I'll be taken advantage of, but I've always been able to forgive, after all I have been forgiven over and over by others and God.

 I was actually proud to be an American when these people handled themselves with such grace and poise in a horrible situation Paula McDonald. 

Paula, you said it perfectly. The way they have handled this tragedy is a lesson to us all!

Paula - we remembered them in our payers too.  The power of love and forgiveness is stronger than hatred.

Paula,  Such a beautiful post.  I'm not one to watch the news. I heard about this from others.  I personally choose to focus on love, light, life and the truth about humanity. I pray for healing.

Good morning Paula.  It took me a long, long time to learn this.  I held a grudge for a long time and plotted on how to pay the people that crossed the line back.  Now I just move on and try my best to forgive.  Difficult at best

Paula, this is the difference when Christians are involved. If we don't forgive our Heavenly Father will not forgive us.

You can see the difference in the light and in the dark.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and uplifting message.  Forgiveness takes away the burden from our hearts and leaves joy and peace.  It may be difficult to forgive at times but if we will just surrender everything in prayer, nothing is impossible.

Without Christ in us, we do not have the ability to forgive. It is only after He is our Lord and Savior that we can forgive. Not because WE can, but because He gives us the ability to.  This church is a great testimony for Christ! :)

Paula, I was similarly struck by the congregation's forgiving spirit.  Their minister, who died in that evil act, must have spent much time and thought teaching about forgiveness.  These congegants probably come from generations of doing without, being mistreated, and personal assaults upon their dignity, lineage and lack of material means; but they are richer than most of America in the things that truly matter.

My thoughts go to Matthew 18: 21-35  Jesus' story about the King who called his servants before him to settle their accounts. One who owed 10,000 Talents [One talent was @ 15 years of income, so it is obvious that he owed a debt he would not be able to repay in a thousand lifetimes].  He begged for Patience, and was granted Forgiveness.

The lesson comes from his lack of patience for a fellow servant who owed 100 denarii [1 denarii was a day's pay].  Roughly 38% of a years wages, but payable with a creditor's patience.  That is similar to what mortgage lenders considers for a total debt-to-income ration when approving a loan.

This is Jesus' response to Peter's query of How many times should I be willing to forgive a brother.  But for the Grace of God, there go I.