She Chose Forgiveness

Courtney Siverling, one of the four young

American women victimized in the recent,

 horrific acid-throwing attack at a train station in

 Marseille, France reached out on Facebook

 with a message of forgiveness, and a prayer for

the healing of her attacker, a forty year old

woman with a history of mental illness:

"Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out to see

if I'm ok and/or has been praying for us. I did not receive any injuries

from the attack in Marseille this morning and we are all safe.

The French police and the U.S. Consulate have been wonderful

and we are so thankful for that.

I pray that the attacker would be healed from her mental illness

in the name of Jesus and receive the forgiveness and salvation that

can only come from Him.

"This I declare about the Lord. He alone is my refuge, my place

of safety, He is my God and I trust Him." Psalm 91:2

-Courtney Silverling

Courtney Silverling

In the wake of senseless evil, 

this courageous young woman

  has taught the world a beautiful lesson 

in mercy and compassion.

Her choice to forgive reflects within her spirit

  the very nature of Christ Himself.

I dedicate this post to her today.

 May God bless you, Courtney.

Decide to forgive

For resentment is negative

Resentment is poisonous

Resentment diminishes and devours the self.

Be the first to forgive,

To smile and to take the first step.

And you will see happiness bloom

On the face of your human brother or sister.

Be always the first

Do not wait for others to forgive

For by forgiving

You become the master of fate

The fashioner of life

The doer of miracles

To forgive is the highest

Most beautiful form of love.

In return you will receive

Untold peace and happiness.

Here is the program for achieving a

truly forgiving heart:

Sunday: Forgive yourself.

Monday: Forgive your family.

Tuesday: Forgive your friends and associates.

Wednesday: Forgive across economic lines within your nation.

Thursday: Forgive across cultural lines within your own nation.

Friday: Forgive across political lines within your own nation.

Saturday: Forgive other nations.

Only the brave know how to forgive.

A coward never forgives.

It is not in his nature.

"Decide To Forgive"

Written by Robert Muller

From the book, "Dear Abby's "Keepers"

By Abigail Van Buren

(1992)