QBLOG #46 Seeing is Believing

Through the avalanche of news stories surrounding world events, elections, sports and negative news in general, a ray of light peeked through. It was the Amish community's response to the murder of several young girls in their community. Instead of reacting in anger and condemnation, they acted with forgiveness and compassion. Though this terrible act struck at the core of what we and they treasure most, our children, they did the thing that most of us wish we could do. They forgave the perpetrator and had compassion for the wife and children left behind. They asked that a fund be set up for his family.

I can't help but wonder what things would be like if we had expressed more of that behaviour as a nation. There is a lesson to be learned. One that has been taught over and over again throughout the centuries. Anger begets anger. War begets war. Forgiveness, though often times seen as weak, is often the most difficult thing to do. It does not have the emotional burst or display of anger. It does not cause a stirring in the stomach of vengence and all the hyperbole that surrounds that. Instead it is quiet, painful and in the end results in a healing power and energy.

Forgiveness does not mean that you are not angry. It does not mean that you don't want to strike out and hurt those that hurt you. It does mean that it takes much more courage and forthrightness to come to terms with the anger and move beyond the base instinct of vengence and uphold ourselves to a higher standard. It is not easy. It is powerful and this Amish community has shown the world the incredible power of forgiveness. Seeing is believing...but even more than this, they believe in forgiveness and practice it. We could all learn a lessong from this simple, powerful act.

Robert