TIME

Dad spent time on the computer looking at old pictures. This was after researching the Insurance Industry and writing a letter.  These pictures of our family and our different homes sure do bring back memories.  He points out how young I looked just a few years ago!  Time has changed us all.  Time to change my pictures too from the Water Shed Park but I do love walking there because it seems like a different world and there is so much to see.  I am so thankful we can spend time there.

There was a very bad accident at 64th and King George and all the traffic was being diverted down 62 where I was sitting looking out the Nursing Home window and we saw a steady stream of cars and truck and even a hearse drive very slowly by.  Those in the home where wondering what had happened.

A good family near us is wondering what happened to their son that caused him to murder a young girl.  We have just read the Bible story of  Cain and Able and found it so unbelievable.  So I happened on a book in the library called  "Murder By Family"  in which the older son murders the mother, wounds the father and kills his younger brother.

The parents where totally unaware of the personality change there son had as he became a teen-ager.  He was a very good manipulator and con artist and his father only gets to know him after he is arrested and put on trial.  A story of a young man who had a personality change and his mind became twisted with dark thoughts of hate, resentment and anger.  His inner fears so corrupted his mind he started to blame his parents for all his fears and failures.  He is completely broken by the time he is arrested and is finally forced to face what he has done.  Emotionally crippled by his dark thoughts he had turn to others who had no moral values so they were able to plot this scheme.

At first the dad cannot believe his son committed these crimes but he has to eventually face the truth.  He has lost everything because he will not see his sons get married or have children and his grief over the death of his wife is an ever-present sadness that leaves a barren ache in his soul.  The important and amazing thing is that he forgives his son before the son even confesses or shows any willingness to change.

He knows he has to forgive or else his mind will become twisted with bitterness.  He sold his business and focused his energy into his emotional healing and restoring his relationship with his son and dealing with the murder trial.

His life has changed direction as he now volunteers for prison ministries and a non-profit organization that helps widows and widowers.  He believes in the powerful gift of forgiveness that our Father God has offered to us when we grasp the fact that each one of us needs forgiveness which is available to all when we truly repent and want to change.

He has the reassurance that he will be reunited with all his family one day.

Evil is difficult to understand and I admire those who are now fighting the evil and injustices being done in their countries  like Libya    The killing of innocent people is unforgivable so many are willing to die so that the lives of others can be changed. 

We see stories on the news and feel anger for those who commit crimes and often forget the other family that has been torn apart by what their child has done.  For those in the church we are now going to be entering Lent, which is a time of inner reflection, and a time to make a better use of your time and energy.  I was brought up thinking you always gave up something for lent and for many years I practiced that quietly.  I do not believe it was passed on to my children.

The world will not change, it would seem, unless there is sacrifice and forgiveness,
which is part of the Easter message.