Forgiveness

Forgiveness-something that sometimes seems impossible, and yet, is always asked of us. I have had many experiences with this, perhaps not as trying and 'impossible' as other people's trials have been, but have, all the same, been hard for me.

A while ago, in seminary, we were told a story of an earlier student my seminary teacher had had. This student had grandparents living in Idaho on a farm. They had hired a gardner or a helping hand for around the farm, and it was a man that was quiet mentally unstable. Whether they knew that or not, I'm not sure. But the man began to have a crush on the grandmother of this student. He began to lust for her, and, in a moment of jealousy, shot the grandfather. He died. The grandmother would not have him, told him so. She told him she was upset with him, and he took the gun and then shot her. Now this student had lost both grandparents.

While with some friends, and one of their mothers, I told this story. They were all horified. But the mother had some words of wisdom to impart with us. She told us that these trials would come, and sometimes it would be hard, and would take a while before we could forgive. Do you know what she then said? "Leave room for forgiveness." Sometimes, it is all we can do: to think, "One day, I might have the strength and courage to forgive." It is the best we can do.



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