Forgiveness is a virtue

This week we have seen an extraordinary example of forgiveness. Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was convicted of murder of Botham Jean and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His 18 years old brother Brandt gave one of the most impressive victim statements I have ever seen. He stated: “I forgive you. I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you. Because I know that is exactly Botham would want you to do”

He then asked the judge Tammy Kemp for permission to hug his brother’s killer. She was initially reluctant, but after Brandt asked again she gave permission and we could all witness the very emotional scene of Brandt and Amber literally running to each other across the courtroom and tearfully embracing. What a courageous decision of the judge to allow this moving act to happen.

It reminded me of something that happened in my personal life. After my wife and I moved into our current house, I had placed our entire collection of Swarovski crystal figurines in the front room off the entry. Within 3 days we had two break ins and the entire collection was stolen.

The burglar was a 17 years old young man from the neighborhood with a drug habit. He was traced through the Swarovski crystal he tried to pawn at a local store. He was arrested and brought before a judge. The day before the court session, his parents wrote us a letter how very ashamed they were.

My wife attended the court session and described what happened. She was handed a letter written by the young man apologizing for his actions. His simple sentences were so moving and sincere that she immediately felt a connection with him. She told me that the parents were very sincere.

The judge listened to his testimony, a candid revelation of his struggle with his addiction and his decision to change his life. He did not just ask for a second chance but described the steps he had already taken in the months since the break-ins to turn his life around. My wife was convinced that he was sincere. The judge stated that he normally listened with a jaundiced ear to drug addicts, saying that the promises hardly ever translated to a change for a better, law abiding life. But he believed the young man and gave him a probation before, basically a fresh start.

I called the parents and offered to help with the rehabilitation of their son. One evening he came with his parents and his grandmother to our home.

Of course, the start was tense but after a while when everybody was comfortable, I took the young man to the basement and had a very honest conversation with him.

The usual story came out: wrong friends, experimenting with drugs, get hooked to it and unable to stop.

Since that time, the young man has changed dramatically. He helped my wife in the yard when heavy tree planting needed to be done, he became a counsellor for drug addicted persons and is now a proud father. We forgave him and are very pleased that we could be a part of his recovery to a better life.

Jan M Bult
October 2019