As I entered a restaurant in Metairie recently, I recognized three of four men sitting at a table. After I said hello, they asked me to join them.

During our conversation, I don’t remember how, but the subject of forgiveness came up. The person who I didn’t know said, “I think there are different levels of forgiveness.” I shared that I didn’t believe that.

One of the men then said, “His son was a policeman and was killed during a robbery at a convenience store.” I could feel the hurt and bitterness in the father. He asked how I would handle such a situation.

“I can’t answer that,” I replied, “but am grateful I can’t relate to such a tragedy.”

I then proceeded to share how my friend, Marsha Stein, handled her daughter’s death. Over 20 years ago, Marsha’s daughter was shot and killed in a rice field in Lafayette. The man responsible for the murder was arrested, tried and sentenced to jail.

Marsha shared that for a couple of months she was about to go crazy with her anger and bitterness, until she asked God to forgive her for the hatred she had and asked for the grace to forgive the man who took her precious daughter’s life.

She made that decision to forgive the person, prayed for him and was freed of her sin of unforgiveness.

Over the years, Marsha has given her testimony many times to help people in similar situations to forgive and be freed of the bondage. Forgiveness is what we must choose to be set free as the Bible states in Mark 11: 25-26:

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.