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The grief never ends

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Bubba
Sunday, December 6, 2009: 11:26 am
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How sad....I have never lost a child or spouse but I worked with a lady who's young daughter died from cancer. She was broken for life....there is nothing harder than losing a child, let alone a spouse and a child. Is the offender still residing in Martinsville? How sad he's not even man enough to confront you and show he is sorry..............

nobodyimportant
Monday, December 7, 2009: 12:47 pm
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I do not know this full story, but from what I read, the saddest thing for me is the story line, "the grief never ends." It is sad because if there is still grief, then healing is not complete.

Whether we like it or not, the man has paid the debt to society that was prescribed by our courts. It troubles me when we see that there is an expectation that any sentence is not enough, and that more justice is needed. There is a point when we must move on.

Bitterness, resentment, and anger masked as grief is something that will drag a person down spiritually, mentally, and even physically. Though I did not see any reference to it in the article, it seems to me that there has been no forgiveness. It is extremely hard for someone to forgive another for something like causing the death of a loved one, but it is essential to the healing. We are instructed in the Bible to forgive. That means even if we don't "feel" like doing it, or even if the entire world says he doesn't deserve it.

I pray that this mother and wife can forgive from the heart the offender. That forgiveness needs to be unconditional and not dependent on him doing anything. Of course, I believe he also needs to ask both God and this woman for forgiveness for what he has done. But even if he doesn't, she should do it. I can guarantee that her burden will be lifted and she will find peace in this situation.

concerned
Thursday, December 10, 2009: 4:35 pm
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the fact that he was not rehabilitated says he should not be out i have a teenage child driving and heaven help the drunk that hits her

nobodyimportant
Friday, December 11, 2009: 7:58 am
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We live in a world filled with danger. We can neither be totally protected from it nor can we expect that all those who may pose a threat can be locked up. Rehabilitation from an addiction or a desire to commit crimes seldom occurs in jails and prisons. Usually, jail sentences serve as a punishment, intended to be a deterrant from doing it again. Unfortunately, that does not work either, as most people released from incarceration commit crimes again.

My heart goes out to those whose lives are ruined by criminals and to those whose lives are deeply affected when a loved one is lost. But the answer is not to multiply the number of jail cells and just simply put all the rotten apples in a barrel and nail the top shut.

The lives of a pastor, his wife, and their two sons was forever changed when one of their sons was brutally beaten and his fiancee was abducted and raped. The pastors wife said, in sharing their experiences, that forgiving the perpetrator was one of the most difficult things she has ever done, but she knew she was called to do just that.

When Jesus went to the Roman's cross to die for our sins, he did so willingly.
He did it out of love. It is hard for us to understand a love that deep and complete, but He has called us to show that same love. He commanded us to love even our enemies and He told us that if we didn't forgive others, we could not be forgiven.

A few years ago, I was in a Bible study. We were talking about our children and grandchildren and the dangers they face today, including predetory child molesters. He said something to the effect that he could not forgive someone who would harm one of his grandchildren. Then someone reminded him that there is no heirarchy of sin and with one exception, the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit, God doesn't put any sinner beyond redemption. We are called to forgive.

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