YOU ARE NOT MY ENEMY

YOU ARE NOT MY ENEMY




Dear: Sir

I forgive you. Although these words are seemingly simple it has taken me several years and multiple sleepless nights to write them. Each time I would gather the strength to forgive you, incessant memories of my mothers murder played through my mind like a demented movie stuck on repeat. Why her? Why you? Why then? Why should I forgive someone for dismantling my childhood by removing a woman that only shared a few years of her life with me, her only son?

The bible says in Luke 6:37, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

We all have our faults and have done things worthy of punishment. In order for me to be forgiven for my mistakes I had to forgive you. Yet by not forgiving you I was punishing myself. I chose not to sleep and I chose to allow her death and my anger towards you to dictate my attitude and actions. Staying upset at you, a person who never knew but still damaged me was painful. I was so angry with you for choosing to hurt my family. Whether it was a random act of violence or a conscience decision, the thought of her death and my motherless childhood felt like you had killed me that same night.

However, I am reminded of Jesus and how He gave his life. He was God’s only son given for the world. My mom isn’t Jesus but I like to believe that she gave her life to save mine. There is nothing that I could do when I was younger to save her and there is nothing that I can do in my adult years to gain vengeance for her death. My mom’s death was in God’s plan before I was even born

Deuteronomy 32:35, “Vengeance is Mine.” God made this statement for people like me. My peace is that I can now forgive you and any vindication I would possibly want would come through God.

Despite the forensic files from my mom’s murder being lost in the flood that ravaged the building and the inability of the judicial system to formally convict you, we know the truth. It is that truth that has given me the freedom to move on. I have prayed for you, I have forgiven you, and although I have had every excuse to fail, I chose none.

I pray that you also discover God for yourself while you are in prison. He has given me peace and I know that He can do the same for you!

God bless,

Sebastian K. Young