FANTASTIC BOOK!!!!!!
"Forgiven" is the true story of a man who was raised in a good Christian home, seemed to have a great life going for him, and then without any warning, walked into an Amish schoolhouse, ordered all the boys and teacher out, and shot the girls - killing 5 of them.What makes this book so powerful, is that it's written by the murderer's mother!
I can not even begin to imagine what that would be like. To know that after trying your best to raise a son to be a good husband, good employee, good man, you find yourself having to live through the unimaginable. How she found the strength to keep breathing is beyond me.
What the author and mother, Terri Roberts, was most amazed by during the months and years after the horrific event, was the outpouring of love and forgiveness by the Amish people who were directly and indirectly associated with the school. The very parents of the murdered girls showered her with love and compassion. Certainly this was a choice they made. I have no doubt it was hard for them. Anger and rage were, no doubt, their first human responses. What a beautiful example of what centring your life around Christ does to the heart.
This was a very easy book to read. In fact, I found myself ignoring my family a bit while it was in my hands. I not only enjoyed it, I was challenged by it as well. Where is my heart? Do I trust in the goodness of God even in the face of unspeakable evil? Would I be obedient to His command to 'do good to those who hurt you'?
"Forgiven" has definitely been a conversion piece for me the last few days and I have no doubt many of my friends will end up reading my copy. You should get a copy too!
BTW, I got a free copy from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.
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