Day 26 A very personal story.

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

I was at a very beautiful church in the foothills of Colorado. The wall behind the Pastor was all glass windows and the mountain scenery was God's painting. The teaching was on forgiveness and we were following the suggestions:

Think of the person in your life who you most cannot forgive.

Close your eyes and set the scene for inviting that person to dinner.

Throughout dinner conversation you forgive that person.

Well, there was more detail to this, but that's the general idea. Just take a moment now and try this.

If you're like me, I carried a huge burden. With eyes closed and following the instructions as the teacher laid out (I'm a visual person so this was right up my alley - yes, it was ALL God, you see.) and I saw myself:

Dinner is nearly ready, the table is set with nice white linen cloth, a vase of flowers from my yard decorates the center of the table. I'm wiping my hands on my apron, a cherished gift from my mom's collection, and the doorbell rings out a happy tune, but I'm nervous and scared.

I take a deep breath and open the door. I face the person needing my forgiveness and I see the face of Jesus. I open the door wide and invite him in to sit at my dinner table.

During the meal I'm trying to approach forgiveness but I have to face the past, the hurt, the horror, the nightmare, the loss. I have to look beyond the face of Jesus and see the face of my torment, my hatred. I have to look into his face and forgive him. I have to look at him sitting there across from me in my home, and I have to not be afraid. I have to look into his eyes and say the words. I look at him, I take a deep breath, and with all my heart, with all sincerity, and with a humble voice I say:

"I forgive you for killing my son, not because you deserve it but because Jesus deserves it. Jesus deserves for me to forgive you."

With that a weight leaves my shoulders. I'm at peace. I know Jesus loves me and for Jesus I can forgive this man who murdered my son. I no longer hate. I no longer fear. I have forgiven. And I have moved on. You see, my son accepted Jesus just days before he was murdered. I know Jesus was with my son, arms across his shoulders, as I sincerely forgave this man.

And now I know that if I can forgive my son's murderer, there is no transgression facing me that I cannot forgive.

With that, I pray that you, too, will take the time to talk to Jesus and forgive, not because they deserve it but because God deserves it.

I love you, Chester Daniel Shetler.