Freedom Through Forgiveness
posted in Forgiveness |I recently watched the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness.
If you haven’t seen the movie it is based on the true story of Bruce Murakami. Bruce’s wife and daughter were killed in a car crash. As Bruce pushed to find out the truth of what happened he discovered the accident was the result of two boys’ drag race – one collided with the van Bruce’s wife was driving.
In pursuing justice for vehicular homicide, Bruce discovered the only way for him, and his two surviving sons, to heal was to forgive the young man, Justin Gutierrez (Justin Cabezas is the real name of the driver), who killed his wife and daughter. In doing so, he and Justin form an unique relationship that lead to their speaking to students about the dangers of street racing as well as teaching on general automobile safety.
At the end of the movie Dean Cain (who played Bruce) introduces the real Bruce Murakami. Bruce said he is often asked how he could forgive Justin for killing his wife and daughter. “My faith left me no other choice. Until I forgave Justin I was stuck and becoming another victim of the accident,” stated Bruce.
It was the healing power of forgiveness that enabled Bruce to not only move on with his life, but to use his horrible experience to impact the lives of others - Bruce founded the non-profit organization Safe Teen Driver, www.safeteendriver.org.
To read and hear Bruce’s story told in his own words visit the website he created for his wife and daughter http://www.touchedby.com. Click on the What Happened link to view the timeline of events, read letters from Bruce to his wife and daughter, and to see video clips of Bruce and Justin.
I ask you again, who do you need to forgive today? The forgiveness you offer may not be as dramatic as that of Bruce Murakami’s, but it is nonetheless as important. Free yourself from the bondage of anger and bitterness. Choose a Better Life by choosing to forgive.