As we pause to express increased thanksgiving this week — in wake of the U.S. State Dept. issuing a worldwide travel alert late yesterday — it seems a little funny to me to pen some post on some topic — perhaps on how people keep focusing on the specks in others’ eyes without first removing the plank in their own. Pick your topic… ISIS, the Syrian refugees, the political campaigns, the college protestors, or the protestors being angry that Paris stole their perceived spotlight.. really. None seem noble enough to focus upon right here, right now.
I then saw the arrest of an 18 year old young man in Indianapolis yesterday. He faces charges of murder and armed robbery. Follow me here…
On Nov. 10th, at 8:22 a.m., pastor Davey Blackburn returned home from an early morning workout only to find his wife lying unresponsive on the living room floor. She had been shot in the head during a robbery; she died the next morning, after being removed from life support.
Amanda Blackburn, only 28, was also 12 weeks pregnant with the couple’s second child. Her 15 month old son, Weston, was home but not harmed when the murder took place. The scene, the crime… there are few words to describe… it is simply heartbreaking.
And yet today I wish to share her husband’s just, humble, selfless response. This is worth focusing on. This remarkable response is, for lack of better words, “Thanksgiving-worthy”…
“Though it does not undo the pain we are feeling, I was extremely relieved to get the news of the arrest made last night of Amanda’s killer. The investigators have assured me they have a solidly-built case to ensure justice is levied and the process is expedited. The family and I couldn’t be more thankful for the level of compassion and professionalism the IMPD and investigators have shown us through the last couple of weeks. My hope is for 3 things in the weeks and months to come:
(1) That the court system would have wisdom on how to prosecute this man, so that no one else endures the pain Amanda and our family have had to endure because of his actions.
(2) That through all of this and although there will be great consequences for his actions, he would become truly sorry for what he has done and would even begin to experience the life-transforming power of the Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ.
(3) That Jesus would give me and our family a heart of forgiveness.
Though everything inside of me wants to hate, be angry, and slip into despair, I choose the route of forgiveness, grace and hope. If there is one thing I’ve learned from Amanda in the 10 years we were together, it’s this: Choosing to let my emotions drive my decisions is recipe for a hopeless and fruitless life. Today I am deciding to love, not hate. Today I am deciding to extend forgiveness, not bitterness. Today I am deciding to hope, not despair. By Jesus’ power at work within us, the best is STILL yet to come. Even when I don’t see it, I believe it to be true.”
Here is a man who’s life was changed for the perceived worst in an unexpected instant…
… gut-wrenchingly awful…
… through no fault of his own.
And yet instead of focusing his efforts and energy on any vocal venom directed at who he thought was most responsible — instead of allowing his emotions to drive his decisions — Davey Blackburn focuses on forgiveness, grace, and hope. Yes, this is who a Christian is…
Even when I don’t see it, I believe it to be true.
We could each learn much from Davey Blackburn… we could quit focusing on the planks in others’ eyes; and we could choose a far wiser path… which would include the profoundly beautiful, humble embracing of forgiveness.
His is a story worth sharing.
Respectfully…
AR