Today's Minute

Erich Honecker, communist party boss of old East Germany, was arrested eighteen years ago today.  After Honecker was deposed but before he was arrested, the East German government asked the church if they’d take him in.  The church then turned to Pastor Uwe Holmer.  Even though the Holmer family had suffered because of the communist regime, they took Honecker and his wife in.  “It is the Christian thing to do,” they said.

One time an angry man came up to Pastor Holmer and berated him. “You wouldn’t have done such a thing if you’d been in a communist prison, as I was,” he said.  Holmer said, “I haven’t been in your shoes but I venture to say that if you don’t forgive Honecker, your life will be filled with bitterness.”  That made the man pause and think.  “You’re right,” he admitted.

I had many wonderful conversations with Pastor Holmer, a dear man who taught me that unforgiveness is a poison but forgiveness frees.  That is a very practical lesson for all of us today.