I just got home from a Prayer Vigil for Viola Barrios- for those of you who live in San Antonio you are fully aware of the story-- for those of you from out of town- a very well known restaurant owner was robbed, murdered and her home burned.
Yesterday he went next door, to the home of Joey Estrada, his mother's murderer. He went to extend a hand of forgiveness and prayer But, then he went even further...he begged us through tears, to "please pray for Joey and his family. He didn't know what he was doing" 
Well, tonight led the community to the Grotto, pictured above...but picture it lit up with candles and lightning bugs-there was not an empty seat. It was a front row view of tragedy and victory at the same time.
What spoke to me, both literally and figuratively, was Louis Barrios, son of Viola. He spoke with deep passion and conviction in his faith in Christ-That is where the victory comes in... 
I was and am blown away by the words he spoke....because I am STILL blown away by the words Jesus Spoke.
1 comments:
Wish I had been at the service. I think we really don't realize the power of forgiveness. I know of a man who as a young teenager accidentaly shot a friend and the friend died. The friend was an only child. The day of the funeral, the father of the boy who died, went to the young man who had accidently shot his son. He told him he forgave him. He told him he knew the shooting was an accident. He told him his son's life was gone; but, he should not let this accident ruin his life. He should not be guilty and live a long and full life.
We do not realize the power of such forgiveness. Nor, do we realize the destructive power of unforgiveness. Unforgiveness blocks God's ability to forgive us and blocks his healing power towards us. It's a spiritual law in place which God does not violate. May we all know the goodness of God and the repentance such goodness brings to our hearts.
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