Justice and forgiveness can cohabitate.
Forgiveness does not have to compromise justice.
~ Bishop T.D. Jakes
Similar to yesterday’s story, today I’d like to share three others.
The first is from a non-fiction book called, Picking Cotton, from author’s Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton.
Following is a description from the back of the book:
Jennifer Thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while she slept. She was able to escape, and eventually positively identified Ronald Cotton as her attacker. Ronald insisted that she was mistaken—but Jennifer’s positive identification was the compelling evidence that put him behind bars. After eleven years, Ronald was allowed to take a DNA test that proved his innocence. He was released after serving more than a decade in prison for a crime he never committed. Two years later, Jennifer and Ronald met face-to-face—and forged an unlikely friendship that changed both of their lives.
In their own words, Jennifer and Ronald unfold the harrowing details of their tragedy, and challenge our ideas of memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness.
In his review of the book John Grisham says, “. . . It is the powerful account of violence, rage, redemption, and ultimately, forgiveness.”
Another powerful story of forgiveness . . . of forgiving the unforgiveable . . . comes to us in the non-fiction book, The Devil in Pew Number Seven, from author Rebecca Nichols Alonzo.
Following are excerpts from the back of the book:
Rebecca never felt safe as a child.
The first time the Nichols family received a harassing phone call, they dismissed it. The same went for the anonymous letter that threatened they’d leave “crawling or walking . . . dead or alive.” But what they couldn’t ignore was the strategy of terror their tormentor unleashed, more devastating and violent than they could have ever imagined. Refusing to be driven away, Rebecca’s father stood his ground until one night when an armed man walked into the family’s kitchen . . . and Rebecca’s life was shattered.
If anyone had reason to harbor hatred and seek personal revenge, it would be Rebecca. Yet The Devil in Pew Number Seven tells a different story. It is the amazing, true saga of relentless persecution, one family’s faith and courage in the face of it, and a daughter whose parents taught her the power of forgiveness.
There are numerous, inspiring quotes I could share from the book, but here are just two passages that touched me the deepest:
“. . . forgiveness is close to the heart of God.
. . . forgiveness is the language of heaven.
. . . forgiveness should be a way of life.
Even when it was humanly inconceivable to do so.”
“I think Momma would agree that I’m the keeper of the door to my heart. To love and forgive others as I’ve been loved and forgiven by Jesus, I have to guard what I allow to take root in my heart. If I open my heart to self-pity, anger, grudges, and unforgiveness, I give the enemy of my soul an invitation into a very expensive home—a home purchased by the blood of Jesus. But as I become fluent in the language of heaven, as I open the door of my heart to Jesus and in His strength forgive others, that’s when I’m set free.”
Just one more story I’d like to share is that of the infamous Casey Anthony. The mother who was tried for the first degree murder of her two-year old daughter, Caylee, but acquitted. I’m assuming you know the story, as it made headlines around the world.
What I remember most were all the Facebook and Twitter posts spewing outrage, hate, and judgment at the verdict.
Honestly, I never followed the story. In full disclosure, I don’t read the paper or watch the news. Sure, I’d heard of the story, but I never got emotionally involved, until I saw an episode of True Hollywood Story airing the story. I’ll admit, after watching the episode, one could definitely see how she might be guilty.
The part where I got emotionally involved? When they showed the hundreds and thousands of people who were outraged, full of judgment and hate outside the trial. Signs with hateful messages and chanting filled with judgment. Thinking about it bothers me all over again!
Friends, who are we to judge? We haven’t walked Casey’s path. If she truly is guilty—think about what she has to live with everyday. If she truly is guilty—we have no idea what could’ve happened in her life to cause her to commit such a crime.
What I know for sure is that people don’t do unthinkable things just for the fun of it. People that commit heinous crimes are broken, hurting people who need to be loved. Who need a Savior. People who have God-shaped holes in their hearts.
Friends, the bottom line is, we didn’t walk every day with Casey. We don’t know if she’s really guilty or not. The jury found her not guilty. Who are we to spew anything but understanding and grace. Truly.
God is the final judge. If she got away with something it’s her cross to bear and she’ll have to answer to God one day.
And guess what? We also have to answer to God one day and the Bible tells us not to judge.
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others.
The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
Matthew 7:1-2 {NLT}
I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the
Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.
Revelation 20:12 {NLT}
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.
if you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law.
But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.
God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy.
So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
James 4:11-12 {NLT}
Indeed. What right do we have to judge our neighbors?
Have you heard the Casting Crowns song, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners”? I love it. Love every word of it. I’ll share more thoughts in a few days, but today would like to leave you with this verse from the song:
Nobody knows what we’re for only against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did?
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i love that song, too… love. camden too, and he said, “mom, did you know that song is almost 5 1/2 minutes long?!” nope. it never feels quite long enough :)
oh that passage about inviting the enemy into a very expensive home… W.O.W. felt that one tug at my soul.
{i also love “God shaped hole” by plumb… and you reminded me of it today. thanks!!!}
Bless you and thank you. So helpful.
I shared this last night on FB as it was the predominant thought throughout my day yesterday – the hugeness of it just hit me in a fresh way yesterday;
“God is all knowing – there is nothing that takes Him by surprise. He never has a new thought. And in light of that I have been enjoying 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It is God’s will that we give thanks – and while circumstances will arise where it looks like there is nothing to give thanks for, we can always give thanks to God that He knows all of the details of the circumstances.”
It lines up too in the face of seeing others in their mess ups. We aren’t to judge – we are to give thanks. Crazy huge thought, eh?
Just beautiful! Love your posts, especially after reading these anonymous letters coming in. Much forgiveness being given! Blessings.
Thanks for this. This who;e series has really impacted my life. I am reading this a while after the original post but what struck me is your comments about Casey Anthony. Just yesterday my 14 yo son said some very awful thing about her and I was horrified by them. I am having him read this today. While I have MUCH to work on in my own life with regard to forgiveness, the judgement of other baffles and saddens me. I have so much to work on in my own life I can’t possibly have the time or energy to judge others.
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