TWO CHILDREN
Two children, a brother and a sister
Born to a father who was a slave to wine
They do remember in their younger years of sorrow
How their daddy used to hurt them time after time.
But somehow they grew to be so different
Their lives turned out to be like day and night
One lives in peace up in Ohio
One was full of hate until she died.
I wondered what could make the difference in the two of them
Both had reasons to be bitter
But one was so sweet
How could one live in peace and not the other
Not long ago the answer came clear to me.
I saw the brother at his daddy’s grave
Placing flowers there his eyes were filled with tears
As he said, “Daddy once again I do forgive you,
For the way you made us suffer through the years.”
Now I can see how the two could be so different
How their hearts turned out to be like day and night
He lives in peace up in Ohio
She as bitter till the day she died
He lives in forgiveness up in Ohio
She was bitter till the day she died
A bitter heart was the reason that she died.
©1986 Dawn Trader Music,SESAC
I heard this song by Steve and Annie Chapman many years ago. Not a song that would stick with me because of it's beauty, but because of its truth. At the time I was still quite oblivious to some of the pain people live with, but over the years, I’ve been reminded of the words because I’ve seen the story portrayed in real life.
Two children, a brother and a sister
Born to a father who was a slave to wine
They do remember in their younger years of sorrow
How their daddy used to hurt them time after time.
But somehow they grew to be so different
Their lives turned out to be like day and night
One lives in peace up in Ohio
One was full of hate until she died.
I wondered what could make the difference in the two of them
Both had reasons to be bitter
But one was so sweet
How could one live in peace and not the other
Not long ago the answer came clear to me.
I saw the brother at his daddy’s grave
Placing flowers there his eyes were filled with tears
As he said, “Daddy once again I do forgive you,
For the way you made us suffer through the years.”
Now I can see how the two could be so different
How their hearts turned out to be like day and night
He lives in peace up in Ohio
She as bitter till the day she died
He lives in forgiveness up in Ohio
She was bitter till the day she died
A bitter heart was the reason that she died.
©1986 Dawn Trader Music,SESAC
I heard this song by Steve and Annie Chapman many years ago. Not a song that would stick with me because of it's beauty, but because of its truth. At the time I was still quite oblivious to some of the pain people live with, but over the years, I’ve been reminded of the words because I’ve seen the story portrayed in real life.
I checked out the song on line now. A YouTube video features Annie still singing this song and at the end she says something that put to rest something that I have questioned. “Maybe it was harder for her to forgive because the offense was worse for her. But this is a true story and the reason she held that grudge against her father was because of how much he hurt her brother.” And yet the brother forgave. Annie goes on to remind us of how Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who were hurting Him as He hung on the cross, reminding us that “forgiveness is a divine act that needs a divine source.”
Something to remember is that forgiveness doesn’t make the offense right, it makes me alright. It frees me from hauling around a burden that is just too heavy to bear . . . a burden that will keep me imprisoned by my own choice.
Maybe, in this season, where we have opportunities to see family and make a choice in regard to forgiveness . . . we can make a decision that will end up being the best Christmas gift of all.
Maybe, in this season, where we have opportunities to see family and make a choice in regard to forgiveness . . . we can make a decision that will end up being the best Christmas gift of all.
7 comments:
Anneliese . ..this made me wonder if there is any family that does not have offenses to forgive.. .and I suspect not. It is so true that forgiveness is for the one offended .. .it just is so freeing to let it go.
This is a perfect advent post. . .a time to prepare our hearts.
Thank-you Anneliese for this wonderful reminder. How we need to unbusy our hearts and think of others, rather than ourselves. May you have a blessed weekend.
I don't think I've ever heard this song. Wow. It's very profound. The hurts some people have endured are incredible. Unforgiveness prolongs, and multiplies the effect it seems.
What a great way to start the week - I watched a good number of the videos on the Chapmans' website. Thanks so much for introducing them to me.
How true! The only one who suffers when I refuse to forgive is me. My prayer is that I will remember that when I am confronted with the need to forgive.
Deep and soul stirring... and how true. It IS often easier to forgive an offence against oneself than to 'forget' the pain someone inflicted on a loved one.
I pray this Christmas people reading your post will find their hearts stirred to mend broken relationships.
Wow! What a profoundly gripping song. I, too, recall feeling animosity against someone who had deeply hurt and wounded someone I loved dearly! Thankfully I received conviction from God's Holy Spirit and forgave - realizing how much I had been forgiven by the Lord. Can't imagine carrying unforgiveness and the crushing weight of grudges! Thanks for this post!
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