By Brenda Cannon Henley
This is the time of the year that people think of relatives, family members far and near, old and new neighbors, co-workers, and even long ago classmates and teachers. Perhaps some of the water between these relationships has been muddied over the years, and it just might be one or the other parties ought to seek and ask for forgiveness. It is a difficult thing to do. It is hard to simply say, “I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

But, boy, when we do ask for forgiveness with a pure heart and genuine motives, what a relief it is when the apology is accepted and old relationships are restored. It is one of the most blessed gifts we can give ourselves. Clearing the air is just plain healthy for all concerned.

As I was thinking about the matter of forgiveness, two good examples came into being right before my eyes. I will admit I enjoy the true crime and detective programs on the ID channel. Detective Joe Kenda in Colorado Springs is a favorite and I like the 20/20 and Dateline productions. Kenda is a real officer and detective and has solved now over 400 homicides. He is called The Homicide Hunter and his signature line is, “If you kill, I will find you.”

Last night I was watching a 20/20 presentation based on a true story that happened years ago in a beautiful Montana campground. A Detroit family had planned a trip of a lifetime to take their five kids on a month long family vacation to tour the western states. They saved, planned well, and packed adequate supplies. The first few days were remarkable and it was quite an adventure.

The night before they were to leave the Montana campground, the dad and mom tucked the kids into sleeping bags inside a nice tent, kissed them goodnight, and went to sleep in the small travel trailer next to the tent. The oldest daughter was 13 and the youngest, Susie,was seven.

When they awoke the next morning, Susie was simply gone without a trace. The tent had been cut directly behind Susie’s head and she had apparently been taken by a skilled kidnapper with perhaps a military background. Local officials, citizens, campmates, and the FBI joined the family in searching for the precious child. Nothing turned up. No one was caught. Susie wasn’t found.

The family stayed on another month and the case of the missing child became the first case of an FBI profile being created and distributed. They had the kidnapper and murderer pegged right down to the smallest detail, but they could not find him.

Marietta, Susie’s mother, was a devout Christian who prayed moment by moment for her child and her kidnapper. She said that as they left Montana, she realized that her anger, rage, and hatred of this person was eating up her life. She began to pray for forgiveness in her heart and for strength to not only forgive this monster, but to love his soul. It was a hard task, but on the exact year anniversary of this horrible deed, the kidnapper called Marietta and she kept him on the line for over an hour with the FBI officials hearing every word.

Without giving away the entire plot and the graphic ending, I will tell you that Susie had been molested and murdered within days of her kidnapping.

This mother’s strong testimony was a helpful fact in this investigation and the FBI credited her with the praise of helping to solve four murders because she found the grace to forgive.

Let’s give ourselves the gift of forgiving someone that has wronged or hurt us during this happy time of the year. I can guarantee we will blessed and good things will come from our effort.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at 409 781 8788, or
[email protected].

[12-11-2017]