In The Forgiveness Book, the...
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In The Forgiveness Book, the Reverend Bob Libby tells many stories from his ministry and of his encounters with people who have found the ability to forgive others or themselves, even for the "unforgivable." He reflects on each person's journey toward forgiveness despite pain that may never be completely healed. In one instance he recounts the story of the family of a young boy. Involved in their own activities, parents and siblings decline the nine-year-old's invitation to go sledding with him. That afternoon he returns home from the sledding area and is tempted by a steep hill in their neighborhood. Flying down toward the street below, the boy never sees the car which is unable to stop before hitting him. He dies later that night. His death is ruled an accident. It is several months later when the boy's mother finally breaks in her grief. She pours out her feelings to a close friend -- her feeling of guilt for not going with her son, her feeling of guilt for his death. In this reckoning, of facing her feelings and sharing her pain and torment with God, she experiences complete forgiveness through Christ. God's forgiveness is there; it was waiting for her all along. -- Kelly
