The Steenkamp Family Says 5 Years Is ‘Right’.

12-33pm

Personally, I was surprised. I think “up to”  5 years is not enough, specially as Oscar will most probably only spend 2 years actually behind bars.

But we live in a world suspended between hatred and love….between harshness and grace. If it is true that a terrible accident happened in the early hours of 14th February last year, then 5 years is enough. But if for some reason, not all the truth has been heard and that maybe in a fit of rage towards his girlfriend, Oscar fired bullets at her through a door, then 5 years is far too short.

Only three people know the truth. One is dead. The other is Oscar and the third is God. At times like these, I am more than grateful that I am not the Judge. I am equally grateful that God is. God sees Oscar’s heart. God sees my heart. I am a sinner just like him. I need forgiveness and grace, just like he does.  The Steenkamp family says 5 years is ‘right’.

I’m glad it’s all over. I’m glad for the Steenkamps and I’m glad for Oscar. Everyone can move on. Time will pass.

I think the best thing that can be offered is forgiveness. Oscar can ask. The Steenkamps can forgive. They don’t necessarily forgive to benefit Oscar, although it will do that. They forgive so they too can be free….free from bitterness, free from resentment, free from anger. Free.

Forgiveness benefits everyone. This morning, I felt the need to ask for forgiveness.  I too, have behaved badly. I am sorry for what I have done. I have not killed anyone, but I have hurt someone and I need forgiveness. So I wrote to this person and asked them to forgive me for any pain I have caused them. In the email I said:

” Someone once wrote:

• Before you assume, learn the facts
• Before you judge, understand why
• Before you hurt someone, feel
• Before you speak, think.

Please forgive me for assuming before I learned the facts, for judging before I understood why, for hurting you before feeling and for speaking without thinking.”

She was gracious in her response. I was humbled. We all need forgiveness. 

What Oscar did was very, very bad and I am sure that if he could have that day over, he would take it – a million times yes!

It is what it is, though and he, just like me and you, is offered the grace of God. God is the final judge of all that happens on this earth. Don’t be too quick to judge others, without being aware that you too will come under the same judgement.

The words of Jesus recorded 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.” 

It would be good to live knowing that we need forgiveness as much as the next person.

God bless you!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Gratitude Pic…new season….baby grapes…