Women Connect: Forgiveness — Lynn & Dan Wagner

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Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. >Colossians 3:12-14 ESV

"Forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you."

Beautiful to read...way too often, though, almost impossible to comprehend. Thank God we have God to help us when forgiveness is not even on our radar.

I can't pretend to know the depth of despair our friends, Lynn and Dan, suffered. But their story is powerful. I want you to know Lynn too. And, together let's see how, once again, our gracious God does the impossible.

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On a balmy, end-of-summer Saturday evening in 2001, the main beach next to the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California, was filled with about twenty thousand people. Our nation was reeling from the horrific 9/11 terror occurring less than two weeks earlier.

Our county hosted BeachFest with the Luis Palau evangelist team for a weekend of outreach. Volunteers from numerous churches gathered at the beach to share the message of Jesus' love.

Christian bands played, children jumped their hearts out in bounce houses, skateboarders sported their skills, and God's Word was proclaimed in a powerful way.

Dan + Lynn Wagner and their teenage daughters, Mandie (16) and Carrie (14), spent that Saturday evening at Beachfest. They were buckled up and driving their short distance home when the unthinkable happened. Driving drunk through a residential area, a woman sped through a stop sign at 50 mph, crashing into the Wagner's minivan.

Mandie and Carrie were killed instantly.

Both Dan and Lynn were hospitalized, suffering head injuries and multiple broken bones. It was hard for them to initially comprehend the devastating news that they had lost both daughters, their only children, while facing their own significant physical challenges. Needless to say, the healing process was long and still continues.

The driver of the car that hit them, Lisa, served seven years in prison. Toward the end of her sentence, Jesus continued working on the hearts of Dan and Lynn. For a few years they had been praying for Lisa. For her salvation. For her family. And that they could both actually forgive her.

For Lynn and Dan, forgiveness was a process. It did not come overnight. But when it came…it was totally a God thing! And incredibly liberating.

With a probation officer, the Wagners met Lisa. As they entered the room they immediately embraced her. With big hugs and lots of tears - they also extended forgiveness. The probation officer shared he had never encountered anything like that and said it could only happen because of a loving God! (Lisa had accepted Jesus into her heart during her incarceration.)

Over the years Lynn and Lisa have visited many schools, churches and gatherings with the message of not driving drunk and the power of FORGIVENESS!

When we talked recently Lynn shared the quote - you may have heard before - "to not forgive is like drinking poison, hoping the perpetrator will die."

Please, let's remember the Wagners in our prayers. Lynn directs a local jail ministry. Dan has found tremendous comfort in God's Word. With their bodies healed, forgiveness extended and hope renewed…we can still only imagine the hole in their hearts with the loss of their beautiful daughters.

Lynn told me the day this email arrives in your inbox, January 24, would be Mandie's 39th birthday.

With our own daughter, Heather (and her twin, Jonathan) being just slightly older…I cried right after my phone call with Lynn. But I also thanked God for this beautiful couple who, with HIS help, chose FORGIVENESS over bitterness.

Dan + Lynn are offering this precious 'women connect' community a complimentary copy of their book, Not Wasted, asking only for help with shipping cost. Please email Lynn at forgivntoo@gmail.com, providing your name and address.

Here, too, is a six-minute video, with a powerful message from Dan + Lynn. (More tears.)

Thank you so much, Lynn, for allowing me to share your story. You absolutely shine with HIS love. I love you, precious friend.

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for a Savior who forgives us. We don't deserve it…and He still offers forgiveness.

My hope in sharing Lynn's story is that even if there is one in our group who needs to ask Jesus for forgiveness…that will happen.

And with God's help, may we have open hearts to forgive others...as well as being quick to ask for forgiveness. Perhaps from a friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member.

Please help us, Jesus, to be women who follow you closely.

And forever grateful for you offering us forgiveness - daily.

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For more information on committing your life to Jesus: www.yestoserve.org/committing

judy popineau wick