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Interview with Stephen Owens, author of Set Free

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Stephen Owens is a little different from most authors I interview. As far as I know, he’s the only author I’ve interviewed whose father was murdered. By a hit-man.

I have to admit, I was feeling a little intimidated by the thought of interviewing him. I’m a fairly sensitive person, so murder is not something I like to think about a lot, at least I try not to.

However, sometimes it’s inescapable. Our world is filled with people who carry out evil acts, leaving loved ones to live with the consequences. Just a few weeks ago, a high school teacher was murdered by a student in the next town over from CBD, in Danvers, Massachusetts.

And last April, I attended the Boston Marathon to cheer on my brother who ran the race. We were a couple blocks away from the finish line when the attacks happened, but the impact from those few moments has lasted much longer. Since then, I’ve found myself thinking about why people make choices to harm others more than before, and I’ve wondered, “Would I be able to forgive if someone harmed my loved one?”

This was the situation before Stephen Owens for many years, in the wake of his mother Gaile’s decision to hire a hit-man to murder her husband, and Stephen’s father.

Stephen was only 12 years old at the time. He was angry for many years. Understandably so, he lost both of his parent in a short time. His father died, and his mother was sent to prison. However, as time went on and he started his own family, the persistent possibility of reconnecting with, and forgiving his mother wouldn’t let go. And finally after 23 years, Stephen reunited with Gaile.

I’m a bit in awe of this. I know that as Christians we’re supposed to forgive, but we don’t always. Sometimes, it seems easier to hold onto the unforgiveness like a security blanket. It becomes our identity. We don’t know who we’ll be without it.

I’ve heard a quotation about unforgiveness by Margaret Stunt that says “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison, and hoping the other person dies.” I think we can all relate. When we hold back forgiveness, we hold onto the pain of what happened. This affects us emotionally, and as recent medical studies have suggested, physically.

There is remarkable freedom to be found when we forgive, and Stephen Owens is the first person who will tell you this. As I look at Stephen’s story and think about my own little grudges and hang-ups, how can I not forgive? And pray for the grace to continue.

 

Stephen Owens Interview for Set Free: Discover Forgiveness Amidst Murder and Betrayal

 


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