88 days then freedom

For nearly the past three months, it seemed every time I would log on to Facebook, I would see nearly the same post--it was a desperate plea from Jayme Closs's grandfather and other family members to never let Jayme's search be forgotten.

On October 15, Jayme was abducted from her rural Wisconsin home after her mother and father were shot and killed. The trail for Jayme and her captor was cold. For 88 days, the hope that Jayme would ever be found seemed less and less likely. Then, in the blink of an eye, Jayme found a way to escape. Jayme found a woman who just happened to be walking her dog. (This also just happened to be the woman's first day in the area as she was staying in a nearby cabin.) The woman and Jayme found the closest house to call police. The residence of the home just happened to be home. After calling the police, Jayme's captor was found driving his car on a nearby road. Although many may say these events were an incredible series of luck, I side with Jewish rabbis who state, "Coincidence is not a kosher word." After 88 days of ceaseless prayers, God set-up a series of miracles.

As the world moves forward, many say this story has a happy ending. Jayme has been found. She has been reunited with her family. Her captor has been captured. Everything is back to the way it should be. However, this is anything from the truth. Jayme has lost her mother and father. She witnessed a horrific event and was then terrorized for 88 days. Jayme now has to adjust to a new life--a new home, a new living arrangement with new family members, new found fame and dealing with the endless emotions from these events. Although Jayme is now safe, Jayme's family endured 88 days of intense stress and worry. They, too, will have to deal with unceasing emotions as they try to move forward.

We also must not forget Jayme's captor. As much as people want this man to get the death penalty or at least life in prison, we must not give in to these throughs. We must forgive and love this man. As Jesus says, "...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous" (Matthew 5:44-45). Additionally, we must remember we are all sinners. We have all messed up in this life. Jayme's captor is no different; we must pray for this man to repent of his sins. "If a wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statues which ensure life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has practice justice and righteousness; he shall surely live" (Ezekiel 33:15-16).

Also, please remember to pray for the criminal's family. I cannot imagine what it must be like to learn a family member killed two people and abductor a young girl. The guilt the family must feel. The shock and awe which overwhelms them. They desperately need our prayers as they deal with all these new revelations.

And lastly, please pray for forgiveness. Everyone involved in this case needs to forgive each other. This type of forgiveness is perhaps the hardest thing anyone has to do, but it must be done. Only through forgiveness can healing come. Only through forgiveness can one go forward. May God's grace and mercies abound. May His shalom never end.