A Testament to Forgiveness


The Story of Maureen Greaves: A Testament to Forgiveness

The Tragedy


On Christmas Eve 2012, Maureen Greaves' life was irrevocably altered when her husband, Alan Greaves, was brutally murdered. Alan, a 68-year-old church organist, was on his way to play at the midnight mass at St. Saviour's Church in High Green, Sheffield. He had performed this role for 40 years. Alan was attacked by two young men, Jonathan Bowling and Ashley Foster, who were described as "out looking for trouble."

The Decision to Forgive


Despite the immense grief and pain, Maureen made the extraordinary decision to forgive her husband's killers. Rooted deeply in her Christian faith and understanding of God's forgiveness, she reflected on how her faith had shaped her ability to forgive. She said, "When I was a very young girl and became a Christian, I absolutely understood what Jesus had done for me on the cross. I knew I was a truly forgiven woman, both my past sins, my present sins, and those I might commit in the future. And I've lived with that for 40 years. I haven't been a woman that's found it easy to forgive... But because of what Jesus has done for me, I have grown over the years with the ability to forgive people much more easily."



On the day of Alan's death, Maureen found the strength to forgive his killers, stating, "As Alan was dying, I found by the grace of God that I was fully able to forgive whoever had murdered him and to place him within God's hands so that he could love them, deal with them, and mete out his justice to them."


Public Expression of Forgiveness


Maureen publicly expressed her forgiveness, emphasizing that it was one of the hardest decisions of her life but one she felt compelled to make in honor of Alan and their shared faith. She stated, "Alan was a wonderful man who is so dearly missed. Our lives will never be the same again. Alan was a man driven by love and compassion, and he would not want any of us to hold on to feelings of hate and unforgiveness. So, in honor of Alan and in honor of the God we both love, my prayer is that this story doesn’t end today. My prayer is that Jonathan Bowling and Ashley Foster will come to understand and experience the love and kindness of the God who made them in his own image, and that God’s great mercy will inspire them to true repentance."


Continuing Alan's Legacy


After Alan's death, Maureen continued the charitable work they had started together. They had set up a community shop, which included a food bank, a washing machine, a Citizens Advice Bureau, a savings and lending scheme, and a job club. This community project was a testament to the couple's dedication to serving others and reflected the love and compassion that Alan embodied.

Impact and Legacy


Maureen's act of forgiveness has profoundly impacted her community and beyond. She has spoken publicly about her journey, inspiring many with her story. Her commitment to forgiveness is not just a personal act but also a reflection of her faith and the values she and Alan shared. Maureen highlights the transformative power of forgiveness: "Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning. It is the lifting of a burden or the canceling of a debt."


Through her story, Maureen Greaves demonstrates that forgiveness, though incredibly difficult, can be a powerful tool for healing and reconciliation, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Note: Readers can send their real stories of forgiveness to ujjwal.sarkar@gmail.com for posting on my blog.

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