I was not stunned. Maybe I should have been. Maybe I sensed this.
After decades of knowing my friend, I finally heard the story of his abuse as a child. This was draining. When he relives his life stories, he re-lives them.
I was privileged to be there. With each slight pause or heightened inflection, I could tell this was not easy.
The part I loved? As the story continues, over a few decades time my friend finally confronts his abuser. The abuser admits his fault. My friend forgives.
In he midst of repentance and forgiveness there is new life.
How did my friend come to that point? He talked to God. Whether literally or in his mind – he talked. God heard him talk of his abuse – how he was mistreated. And then God talked to him about the abuse his Son, Jesus, also endured. His Son forgave – could my friend forgive?
What a turning point. My friend could not see any other alternative than to forgive. And so he did!
I want that attitude to be in me as well.