In October of 2006 in a quiet Amish community, the unthinkable happened. A gunman entered the school, ordered the boys and teachers outside and then shot the ten remaining girls before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life.
As life shattering and shocking as this is…. what shocked even more was the powerful response of forgiveness that the Amish community offered to the murderer and to his family, even bringing the family baskets of food and welcoming them into their home.
In a tragedy just as horrible as the other school shootings across the country, here was something that was hard to understand. Unconditional forgiveness.
I am drawn to true stories… and yes, true stories about crimes. I am amazed at the level of explosive anger that some people can carry and the reasons that push people over the edge. I am just as amazed with the survivors of such violence.
I should have written down what blog I seen this book on last week, but I did not and if it was your blog, please let me know and I will add that to this review. I had not heard of this book until seeing a review on it and I knew I wanted to read it too. While this book is on a subject I have read before (COLUMBINE), it has something else that drew me to it…
the act of forgiveness.
As I read the details that lead up to this horrific tragedy, I could not help but ask if this was my child who was in the school that day – could I have forgiven so fully? Before I even finished typing that question I know in my heart the answer is, no. Yet here are a people so emerged in their faith that even such a crime as this they are able to look past the act and see the bigger picture.
The act itself was horrible. As I read the details of what happened that day my heart broke for the children and families involved. What drives anyone to do something like this? yet we have seen it again and again through the years, terrifying act after terrifying act.
What this book brought to the fore front for me was the amazing faith of the community. I have known a little about the Amish, but this book brought me much closer to understanding how they choose to live and their strong belief in God. Their incredible believe that everything has a purpose and their never wavering faith that it is their duty to forgive is astounding –
and humbling.
I believe strongly in forgiveness, but reading this book put my forgiveness to shame. Immediate and selfless, this community instantly turned to the gunman’s family and offered support and friendship to them… worrying about their well-being instead of their own.
If I say this book is powerful…. it is true but powerful does not seem to be a strong enough word to describe what I have read.
Amazon Rating
I have updated the 2011 WHAT Are You reading map to include Think No Evil
I borrowed this book from my local library
Book Journey 
This looks like a good read. When I married into a mennonite family (not old order) I became very interested in traditional Mennonite and Amish ways, and what always struck me was that idea of unconditional forgiveness and faith.
I knew a little about the Amish Bonnie but I guess I had never heard about the deep forgiveness before and how seriously they took it.
The plot of this story reminds me of a Lifetime Movie Network flick with a similar story. In that tale, too, the forgiveness in the Amish community was the most notable aspect.
Thanks for sharing….
I think someone mentioned Laurel that this was made into a movie – I will have to check to see if that is correct.
Their forgiveness in this situation is a pretty powerful statement, huh?
Hannah I finished the book over a week ago and that point is still sticking with me. I feel small of faith next to what I read in this book.
Probably a good book to read, then.
this would be an amazing book to read. I watched the movie version of the events and what I keep coming back to is the Amish ability to forgive.
Oh good, there is a movie version then! I thought someone told me there was! I am going to look for it on Net Flix.
Yes Sheila, the movie version is titled AMISH GRACE. I thought it was good and was also astounded by the Amish community’s ability to forgive.
Thank you Mona – I am going to Netflix right now 🙂
I remember being horrified when this happened. I may have to read this book. Thanks for the review.
All the shootings Ryan, they just put me in such a shock of senses. This one, really made an impact on me when I read about the details, I think it would for you too Ryan. 🙂
I remember hearing about this on the news as this terrible tragedy happened and we were all horrified. Then we heard how the Amish community responded and were awed by their faith and ability to forgive so freely and willingly. A fantastic story of Christ like love. It wouldn’t be so easy to forgive, I think. I’d have to work at it immensely with many hours in prayer to achieve what they did in so short a time. This would probably be a good read, especially in the sense that it may help others reach forgiveness.
I agree Shirley, as much as I would like to be that person of quick forgiveness – in this case I think it would take a lot of time and prayer.