Forgiveness: The Mystery and Miracle: Finding Freedom and Peace at Last

FORGIVENESS: THE MYSTERY AND MIRACLE Finding Freedom And Peace At Last By ANNETTE STANWICK When Annette Stanwick’s brother was tragically murdered, she never dreamed her journey of healing would take her to a place of forgiveness. The journey of healing wasn’t easy as she moved through the stages of grief, experiencing the pain, anger and confusion we all experience when crisis hits. Through an amazing turn of events the author felt led by God to publicly forgive her brother’s murderers in the courtroom. Forgiveness created a miracle in her life and heart; changing her so dramatically she developed a passion to help others find a way to heal from their own painful life situations, whatever they might be. That passion has taken her into university settings, inside prison walls, around boardroom tables, on speaking platforms and interacting with people living on the street. FORGIVENESS: THE MYSTERY AND MIRACLE - Finding Freedom and Peace at Last is an amazing account of that miraculous journey. The authors’ desire in life has been to learn from the difficulties life brought her way, and to always make a difference wherever that path traveled. Her book about forgiveness is making a difference in the lives of its readers through the deep learning the author shares with candid vulnerability. From the very first sentence, this book is captivating, spanning a lifetime of learning. Wanting the book to be more than an amazing story, the author crafted the book in such a way that following the story in each chapter the reader is invited into a personal application that assists them in understanding the principles and impact the chapter topic may have in their own life. A series of practical questions assists the reader in a gentle process of exploring their own difficult circumstances. A meaningful prayer at the end of each chapter provides a spiritual connection and model for the reader to use in talking to God about their situation. The author’s well-designed HEALING PROCESS FOR EMOTIONAL WOUNDS ™ diagramed in the early pages of the book provides a backdrop and graphic depiction of the various stages in the healing journey useful for the reader and/or healing/caring professional in identifying progress on the healing pathway. “Annette’s personal experiences are amazing. Her insights are remarkable, and her ability to find deep learning and healing in spite of the tragedies she has faced, gives the reader hope that they too can endure, overcome and rise above their own unique experiences, “ says Thelma Box of CHOICES INTERNATIONAL. The power of personal choice is a strong theme throughout the book as the mysteries and miracles of forgiveness are unraveled to aid the reader in letting go of those things that hold them back from experiencing the freedom and peace they seek. Les Hewitt, Top Performance Business Coach and International best selling author of The Power of Focus states, “ In this masterpiece of personal growth and triumph, Annette Stanwick turns the aftermath of a tragic murder into a model for healing.” Lucille Mandin, Ph.D, University of Alberta says, “This book is a gift to humanity.” FORGIVENESS: THE MYSTERY AND MIRACLE is impacting the lives and hearts of its readers. Unexpected stories are immerging from individuals in various walks of life who are healing from all types of wounds. “This book brought miraculous healing to our family at the time we needed it most.” Says L.P. an organizational director. Christian psychiatrists and counselors are extolling the benefits of the book for readers and for use in their professional practice settings. The power of this book is in the author’s ability to spotlight the difficult and perplexing real life situations we all face, yet often feel so alone as we navigate the maize of corridors we travel in trying to cope with the relationship challenges that continually arise. Stanwick invites the reader to take an intimate look at those real life situations, but then takes the reader by the hand; friend to friend, giving them the opportunity and encouragement to reflect on their own particular set of circumstances, gently guiding them through a meaningful process that leads to releasing and letting go of their painful past experience. The power of story telling role modeled by the author and a method for the reader to tell their own story creates a healing atmosphere of trust, that has the potential to bring much needed relief to those in need of help in their life situations. There are many surprises in this book that keep the reader enthralled with wanting to know more. The principles of restorative justice provide healing moments in some astonishing and almost unfathomable circumstances. The power of personal choice and the destructive nature of hanging on to bitterness provide authentic and stunning examples that encourage the reader to make positive choices, when perhaps they didn’t realize they even had a choice. Annette Stanwick is a woman of enthusiasm and contrast, a woman with courage to face tough issues. Aside from being an author, she brings a wealth of experience and insight to her writing, speaking and executive leadership. In her current role as Vice President-Medical Affairs of the world-renowned Gimbel Eye Centre in Calgary and as former vice president of a large hospital, Annette clearly understands the pain of personal and organizational struggles along with the tremendous significance relationships play in any home, group or business. Individuals everywhere are imprisoned by the anger and fear caused by their woundedness. Letting go of those emotions is like being released from prison. Forgiveness is the miracle that releases the chains of bitterness, allowing us to experience freedom and peace at last.