I Forgive You, Mr. Arsonist and Burglar It was four short years ago that I arrived at my business early Monday morning and saw the remnants of my retail store lying in a heap of ashes. A burglar/arsonist stripped the store of many thousands of dollars of inventory and then set it on fire. When witnesses came forward, I learned that the perpetrator was a friend of mine that I had employed. When he was arrested and charged with felony arson, I was interviewed on every local television and radio news station. I forgave Jason on the public air waves that day and offered my prayers for him. Many phone calls came in to our makeshift shop over the next few days. Some expressed incredulity over my choice to forgive, while others applauded my actions. That was a very sobering day in my life, and I still struggle with nightmares. Be that as it may, I asked God for help in the midst of my plight, and He answered my call. He opened up new doors for me, and I was able to resume business within a couple of months. Im very grateful for Gods provision. Jason, I see you out there on Facebook and I imagine you will see this post. My response to you is the same now as it was back then. I chose to forgive you for your actions. We lost over $100,000 in the fire, and I doubt you will ever comprehend the gravity of the crime you committed. Im sure you are still trying to figure out why the charges were dropped and you arent serving the 60 year prison sentence that the other arsonist is serving. Ill let you go on wondering what the answer might be, but as you do, consider that the love of God may have afforded you that second chance that you never would have imagined you would get. Somebody had mercy on you, and you have only God to thank, because only God could rescue you from certain imprisonment. I imagine you are happy to be free instead of serving a life sentence, and when you are ready, the same God who saved you from prison is the same God who will take you back with arms wide open. Even though life is difficult now, and Ive lost all my retirement, I know that God will always meet our needs. He is bigger than any act of destruction. I forgave you in front of 500,000 people on radio and television, and I stand by my decision. Jason, youve got much to be thankful for, and I hope that you understand above all else that God is rich in mercy and grace. You deserved to spend the rest of your life in prison for your crimes, and you would have, had you not been forgiven ahead of time. Its time to give some real thought as to the magnitude of this gift youve been granted. You were pardoned when you didnt deserve it. God blessed you, Jason W. What will you do for Him? -- Geoffrey Haefele
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 09:53:24 +0000
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