Forgiven by Terri Roberts {A Book Review}

Recently, I've become interested in the Amish culture. This was only accelerated when we visited Matt's grandmother in Pennsylvania earlier this year. That being said, when I saw the book, Forgiven: The Amish School Shooting, A Mother's Love, And a Story of Remarkable Grace by Terri Roberts, was available, I couldn't resist reading it.

I vaguely remember the story of the man who walked into an Amish school and killed and injured several young girls and then killed himself. It happened back in 2006 and it rocked the Amish community to its core.

Forgiven is written by the mother of the shooter and it is an incredible story. Terri shares about what happened on the day of the shooting and how it affected her, her family and the Amish community which they lived.

The author then gives the backstory of how she raised her son and his brothers. She shares how she blamed herself at times because of how she had raised him, etc.

All of that information was interesting but what really drew me in and rocked my world was reading about the Amish families who so quickly forgave the Roberts family. They didn't blame them for what their son had done, instead they extended grace to them nearly immediately.

What happened after the funerals and as time went on was just as incredible. The families continued to reach out and open their homes to the Roberts family. The Roberts family checked in on every family and over time became friends and even family with them.

I know that God is able to redeem incredibly horrific situations because of his power but being able to read those stories from the perspective of the person who received grace, mercy and forgiveness is beautiful. Roberts shared her family's story so well.

Thanks Bethany House and Chosen Books for allowing me to review this book!