A Gatlinburg, Tennessee, man who lost his wife and two daughters in the wildfires that swept through the area has extended forgiveness publicly to two juveniles suspected of starting the blaze.
Constance Reed, 34, and her daughters Chloe, 12, and Lily, 9, were in their home when they saw flames across the street. Constance called her husband, Michael, who was out driving with their son. They knew of the wildfires but had no idea they were so close to their home. Michael told her to call 911, then they expressed their love for each other.
They never spoke again. The three deaths were announced at a press conference five days later.
WBIR reported that the entire family attended Parkway Church of God in Sevierville, Tennessee, and “all accepted Christ into their lives this past month.”
On December 7 two juvenile suspects were arrested. Their names were not released.
Michael Reed posted a public Facebook message that said, “I forgive you. My son forgives you … We know you didn’t mean for this to happen. We know you would take it all back if you could. We will pray for you. Every day. We will pray for your parents and your family members. Every day. We will pray for your peace. We will show you grace. Why? Because that’s what Jesus would do. Faith … Hope … Love … The greatest of these is love.”
Reed told the Knoxville News-Sentinel he believes his wife and daughters would want him to forgive the two suspects.
“If you live your whole life holding a grudge against everybody who has ever hurt you, then you will be lonely the rest of your life,” Reed said. “The true definition of a Christian is doing the right thing when nobody is looking. I hurt and can be angry with them. This is not how our life was supposed to be. But if Jesus has forgiven me and my neighbors for our sins, I have to follow in His footsteps.”
His Facebook post continued, “As I learned of your arrests last week I sat in silence for a long time. You may be too young to understand this, but even through this tragedy I can feel God with me and my son. … As humans, it is sometimes hard to show grace. We hold grudges. We stay angry. We point the finger and feel we have to lay the blame somewhere. It’s human nature and completely understandable. But I did not raise my children to live with hate. I did not teach my girls or my son to point the finger at others. John 8:7 says ‘Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.’
“Forgiveness isn’t for you,” Reed stated. “It’s for me. It’s for my son. It’s for Constance, Chloe, and Lily. It is for this community who lost so much in this tragedy.”
According to media reports, the fire started November 23, killing at least 14 people and destroying more than 2,400 homes and businesses and churches.