Another Story of Forgiveness

I llove stories about forgiveness. I don’t think anything is more God-like than forgiveness. When ordinary men are willing to forgive, it changes the life of the forgiver and the forgiven. In fact, it changes everything.

If you have time – and the inclination – read the Christian Science Monitor story by Jacob Baynham regarding Ricky Jackson:

He’s had a lot on his mind since he left prison. He’s been thinking about what to do with the remainder of his life. About what to make of the lie that landed him on death row at age 18, making him the longest-serving wrongfully convicted person in American history. It’s a lie that has tested the limits of human forgiveness and resilience. A lie that forced him to not let his circumstances, however tragic, define who he is. (CSM)

He has made his peace with the then twelve year old boy who lied about being a witness to a murder that nearly took the life of this innocent man. Vernon, that boy (now a 51 year old man), still struggles with the lie, but he and Ricky are meeting and Ricky says “all is forgiven.”

It’s a long story, a great story. It speaks of how thing can go dreadfully wrong and innocent men can find themselves in situations that will destroy any hope for resolution. Police, prosecutors, juries, and judges, all believing a lie that cost a young man more than most would pay.

Each of us is like that at some point, really, without hope, without anyone on our side, without a solution. Of course, for us, there is one difference; we are guilty. And yet, despite that guilt, we too can be forgiven, and with that we can learn how to forgive, and to practice forgiveness toward others.

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Christian Science Monitor  April, 12, 2015 (online)

After 39 years in prison, an epic tale of innocence found and bitterness lost (Title of story)