The Lord answered my prayer, and He gave me the words to say...
...to Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Joy Scott, who lost her precious life in the Columbine High School shooting back in 1999.
On April 16th I received a surprise letter from Mr. Scott. Last night I answered it and my letter went out this morning. Ironically, today is the second anniversary of this tragedy. But it really is a coincidence that my reply to him would be going out to Colorado on this very day.
Well, I told Rachel's dad how grateful I was for being able to read about his daughter's life. I found the book he and Rachel's mother wrote to be so inspiring. I shared with him that I believe the Lord Jesus Christ has given his daughter the desires of her heart because, from reading RACHEL'S TEARS, I can see that she was a Spirit-gifted missionary. This is what she wanted to be.
I do hope I was able to encourage him and remind him that his life and hers will never be in vain. I also told Mr. Scott that on this day I would be doing my part to pray and fast for the youth of our nation. I would have done this anyhow because this is what I had already planned, and I believe this is what Christ is leading me to do.
Then I tried to answer his questions about forgiveness and establishing relationships with the victims' families. I shared that I would love for the chance to speak to these people, to apologize, express my sorrow, reassure them that I am not getting out of prison, and that I have nothing against any of them, etc.
I told Darrell Scott that these crime victims have every right to have anger and bitterness towards me, and to express it openly as some of them have done many times during the past twenty-five years. I also asked Mr. Scott to please pray for these hurting people, and that any suggestions he would have about helping them to get over their anger and pain, to let me know.
Then I concluded my letter by thanking him for reaching out to me, and for caring. And not just for me, but for those who have suffered because of my past crimes. The best part, I think, was when the Lord had me to remind Darrell that he and the rest of his family are going to see Rachel again. This is the Lord's faithful promise for all those who have died ("fallen asleep") in Him. I told Mr. Scott to please read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
We believers in Messiah Jesus often need to remind our brothers and sisters who have lost "born again" loved ones, that Jesus is coming again for His church. He's going to be taking us with Him. There is a glorious reunion ahead!
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
D.B.
On April 16th I received a surprise letter from Mr. Scott. Last night I answered it and my letter went out this morning. Ironically, today is the second anniversary of this tragedy. But it really is a coincidence that my reply to him would be going out to Colorado on this very day.
Well, I told Rachel's dad how grateful I was for being able to read about his daughter's life. I found the book he and Rachel's mother wrote to be so inspiring. I shared with him that I believe the Lord Jesus Christ has given his daughter the desires of her heart because, from reading RACHEL'S TEARS, I can see that she was a Spirit-gifted missionary. This is what she wanted to be.
I do hope I was able to encourage him and remind him that his life and hers will never be in vain. I also told Mr. Scott that on this day I would be doing my part to pray and fast for the youth of our nation. I would have done this anyhow because this is what I had already planned, and I believe this is what Christ is leading me to do.
Then I tried to answer his questions about forgiveness and establishing relationships with the victims' families. I shared that I would love for the chance to speak to these people, to apologize, express my sorrow, reassure them that I am not getting out of prison, and that I have nothing against any of them, etc.
I told Darrell Scott that these crime victims have every right to have anger and bitterness towards me, and to express it openly as some of them have done many times during the past twenty-five years. I also asked Mr. Scott to please pray for these hurting people, and that any suggestions he would have about helping them to get over their anger and pain, to let me know.
Then I concluded my letter by thanking him for reaching out to me, and for caring. And not just for me, but for those who have suffered because of my past crimes. The best part, I think, was when the Lord had me to remind Darrell that he and the rest of his family are going to see Rachel again. This is the Lord's faithful promise for all those who have died ("fallen asleep") in Him. I told Mr. Scott to please read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
We believers in Messiah Jesus often need to remind our brothers and sisters who have lost "born again" loved ones, that Jesus is coming again for His church. He's going to be taking us with Him. There is a glorious reunion ahead!
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
D.B.