(Photo credit: Glenda Otero)
In Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, Eliza‘s eyes brimmed with tears as they took his wife away, that was the last time he saw her and his heart broke into a million pieces. His six children were taken to another part of the camp. The German officer glared at him with hatred, and pushed him roughly to the crammed dormitory housing hundreds of malnourished prisoners. Eliza knew the end has come, what could he do?
Nothing.
But his eldest son survived the holocaust…
Can his son forgive?
In Congo, Joseph ran wildly through the forest, the stomping sound that the feet of his pursuers made was like the sound of hell. They’d hacked his family to death, the only member of his family who escaped was his youngest daughter, and he feared for her life. He ran for dear life and miraculously, he escaped. Seven months later, he was back to his village, there was nothing left. His daughter had not been found. What could he do?
Nothing.
Can he forgive?
Laura fought off the huge thug who pinned her down the soft grass in the park, his foul breathing on her face. She tried and fought so hard but he beat her mercilessly and had her, over and over again. He dumped her like a rag doll after he finished. There were bite marks on her face – that man had molested her… She was just twelve years old.
Her family was distraught….
Can they forgive?
Can Laura forgive?
Can she forget?
Yes… All these people can forgive. And you can too – And I can. Forgiveness releases you from the pain, the hurt, the anger and the bondage. It’s not easy but it can be done. Through the help of God!
Much love dear friends. 🙂
Have a great day, and a beautiful May (should be in a couple of hours, I guess)
Seyi Sandra David 
This is deep… Forgiveness helps, though it’s difficult too… Great post!!
🙂
Thank you, I’m glad you like it!
🙂
Reblogged this on Year 'Round Thanksgiving Project and commented:
Most of us don’t have to worry about forgiveness for things this heinous…but forgiveness works the same way for the man who cut you off in traffic, the friend who made a comment that cut you to the core, the spouse who betrayed your trust. Try it…you’ll be glad you did
Thank you Pamela for the like, your comment and Reblog! And you’re absolutely right, most of us don’t have to worry about such horrible crimes – all the same, life throws different punch at different times. But in order for us to live in relative peace, forgiving others is a must. And then, we can graciously receive the forgiveness of others, when we err. Thanks again dear friend.
Blessings. 🙂
Reblogging – this is something we all need to think more about – forgiveness costs us nothing and gives us everything
It does Pamela, it does…
Very well written, Seyi Sandra… 🙂
Thank you! I’m glad you like it, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it!
Blessings. 🙂
Woah Seyi, even reading this, I became incensed and angrier as I went along. Forgiveness is hard! Especially when people you love have been hurt, but theirs no bigger genrousity than this virtue. It sets us free. Thanks for such a lovely post
Thanks for reading Anne. Forgiveness is not easy. Sometimes, we believe we have a right to hold that grudge and never let go. I’ve been there… People hurt us so badly it’s difficult to forgive. But ultimately, what’s done is done – and the earlier we let go, the quicker our lives would be richer. And I think, we’re doing ourselves a favour too.
I appreciate your comment dear friend!
Much love. 🙂
I so agree with Anne Chia! …. Thank you for this Seyi 🙂
Hugs!
Thanks for reading Upe, I’m glad you like it!
Much love to you!!
🙂
There is one person I can never forgive. But that person never has anything to do with my life any more
I know Alastair, it’s damn difficult to let go and forgive. But you can look at it this way, you’re releasing yourself from that person, when you forgive, when you don’t, they would still be a huge part of your life! Thanks for reading dear friend.
Blessings. 🙂
He’s my mother’s other son and he did something to my son that changed his life forever
I’m so sorry to hear that! It could be hard I know… I’ve dealt with some issues too, with people that are close to me. They hurt the most. But some people will never change… and for one’s peace of mind, one should just let them go. I’m a Christian and I still struggle when I remember how evil some people are, and they’ll never change! ( I repeat that!) But I just had to let them go, or else I’ll keep hurting. God be with you Alastair! (sorry if you’re not religious but I can’t help it!!)
😉
I never used to be until something changed my mind earlier this year and late last year. Three times I asked for a miracle, and three times I got one
That’s beautiful Alastair, I’m glad for you! My love to your beautiful children! 🙂
Thank you Seyi, I appreciate it
You’re welcome!
Wow, this is the ultimate story of forgiveness. I agree that it is a release we have to do for ourselves rather than for that other person. We cannot hold onto negative feelings and continue to move forward at the same time… really well done here Seyi.
Thanks Christy! I’m glad you saw my point of view! It’s a pleasure having you around!!
Much love. 🙂
Wow, that’s thought provoking!! My father was murdered by my brother and it took me a long time to forgive him. I heard the following in a meeting, hatred is like giving yourself poison and waiting for he whom you hate to die!! As a recovering addict I had a very hard time forgiving myself, my God I could write a book on that alone, huh, maybe I will!!
I think you should! That was so sad and I’m so sorry to hear that Freddiejay… I’m glad you have found peace. God be with you!
Blessings.
For what it’s worth you have been a big inspiration to me , and I do have a few ideas for more books with an altruistic nature. Thanks again for reading me.
This is beautiful. One day maybe I can be there in that place of forgiveness.
( ° ͜ʖ ͡°)
♥ ❀ ✿ Namaste ❀ ✿ ♥
Ha ha haaaa Jueseppi! I hope you’ll be, it’s hard but it’s peaceful too! Thanks for stopping by!!
Blessings.
♥ ❀ ✿ Namaste ❀ ✿ ♥
wonderful writings you have here, Seyi, and thanks for following my blog.
Thanks for stopping by Virgilio, you’ve got a great blog!!
cheers. 🙂
You are nominated! Enjoy 😀
http://katrinaperkins.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/the-family-we-choose/
Thank you Katrina! I appreciate it!!
🙂
Any of these people & others like them are something special to go through all of that & still be able to forgive. I’ve had some experiences where I can’t honestly say that I have forgiven. I don’t wish anyone harm – but – I’ve kept them out of my life & have learned to move forward without dwelling on the hurt & negative experiences.
So very true. I once hated an old boyfriend. I knew I should forgive, but didn’t want to. He deserved my hate.
I knew God wanted me to forgive. All I could do was give Him permission to change my heart. He did.
I forgive.
I’m happy you did, life is too short to pile up grudges! Like you rightly said, It’s only God that can really enable us to forgive. Thanks for stopping by, I truly appreciate it!
Much love. 🙂
What a great blog, thanks for sharing
Thanks for reading, I appreciate your visit!
🙂
Reblogged this on JUSTICE FOR RAYMOND and commented:
Forgiveness is hard, forgetting impossible. Through remembering we learn to live with challenges and hurt, through forgiveness we can live with our memories. Very interesting reading this post as I think of all the people who have suffered from the abuse of another
IT is hard! You’re right, it takes the grace of God to wipe the slate clean… Thanks for the Reblog!!
🙂
God bless
Cheers. 🙂
To forgive is divine and it takes a heart filled with the Spirit to do so over and over again. I can only imagine the pain and difficulty of the father who has lost a son, child molested from an early age, girl abandoned by her guardian, and so much more. I pray for people like this. Thank you for allowing us to discuss this wonderful virtue.
You’re right Uzoma, forgiveness by one’s strength is futile, it takes the help of God! Thanks for reading, I appreciate you, always.
Cheers. 🙂
Commenting on Luke 17:3 (”If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him”), John Stott, Confess Your Sins: The Way of Reconciliation, page 35, writes:
“We are to rebuke a brother if he sins against us; we are to forgive him if he repents — and only if he repents. We must beware of cheapening forgiveness. . . . If a brother who has sinned against us refuses to repent, we should not forgive him. Does this startle you? It is what Jesus taught. . . . ‘Forgiveness’ includes restoration to fellowship. If we can restore to full and intimate fellowship with ourselves a sinning and unrepentant brother, we reveal not the depth of our love but its shallowness.”
May the Holy Spirit come down on us all, such that true repentance finds true reconciliation. We need a massive cleansing only God can give.
As always, your comment are filled with the grace only God can give. Thank you Ike! 🙂
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
FORGIVENESS IS IN cHRIST.
Thanks Jonathan! I appreciate the Reblog! 🙂
Beautiful article. I’d like it twice if I could. Thank you for liking a lot of my own posts and God Bless you.
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by, I’m grateful. 🙂