Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 12, 2015 Features / Columnists, Food For Thought
Gary Leon Ridgway is better known as the infamous Green River Killer. In 2003, he confessed to the murders of 48 women. In 2011, Ridgway was convicted of the murder of Rebecca Marrero, bringing the victim count up to 49. By his own confession, he may have murdered as many as 60 women. Ridgway especially despised prostitutes and targeted them for his killings.
At Ridgway’s 2003 sentencing, the families of the victims had the opportunity to speak out and address Ridgway directly. Understandably, many were angry and lashed out at Ridgway for the unimaginable grief he had put them through. As Ridgway stonily listened to the family members express their grief and anger, one person came up and said something unexpected. When the time came for Robert Rule, the father of teenage victim Linda Jane Rule, to speak, Ridgway finally showed a glimpse of remorse.
Rule’s words to Ridgway were: “Mr. Ridgway . . . there are people here that hate you. I’m not one of them. You’ve made it difficult to live up to what I believe, and that is what God says to do, and that’s to forgive. You are forgiven, sir.” These words brought Ridgway to tears.
We all have persons who have done us wrong and because we may know that we did not deserve it we find it hard to forgive. Unforgiveness is a normal human reaction but the reality is that when we choose not to forgive someone we are disobeying the Creator’s commands. Also, when you choose to hold on to malice, the only person you are hurting is yourself. A wise man once described an unforgiving person as “someone who drinks a bit of poison everyday waiting for the other person to die.” Yes, when you choose not to forgive and wake up every morning with hate in your heart for others it’s like poisoning yourself. Ask yourself “ Is it worth it or does it even make sense to wake up every day being consumed with hate for someone when that person possibly couldn’t care less about me and is going about their life being happy whilst I am miserable with resentment?”The answer is NO. Choose to forgive and set yourself free. Remember… the Creator is just and fair so you do not have to seek revenge because he will vindicate you.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
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