Forgiveness is Difficult: I am writing about the area of “forgiving” for a short ebook about the spiritual path. You cannot be spiritually whole if you are unforgiving of an offense (even the horrible ones). I wanted to include a true story about forgiveness. I remembered a story of a man who forgave an atrocity in World War Two. I listened to him once, many years ago. I was sure I could find him in an internet search.

Louis Zamperini’s Life: A few minutes later I began a google search to find out his name and, hopefully, a video clip from when this man (Louis Zamperini) spoke in a casual interview while at the Olympics when they were held in Japan. He was speaking with the announcer in a short late-night segment, at the very end of the Olympics. It was my first and only time hearing Louis Zamperini. His words impressed me. He shared about his war experiences and capture, and then how he and the men were tortured. He described some of it, water-boarding etc., and the fear he and the other POWs experienced, especially toward one of their worst torturers. It was grim.

Louis Zamperini went on to tell of his life after being freed, how he was angry, damaged, then his coming to faith at a Billy Graham crusade and how God changed him. Later, he was able to forgive those who had been so cruel to him long before during the interrogations and tortures. He also said that he had tried to meet with his former tormentor during his visit at the Japan Olympic games but was not given audience.

Louis Zamperini’s Death: I was saddened to learn that Louis Zamperini passed away earlier this month. He was 97. Somehow I missed the news report. What a man. He was kind and good. You could see it in his eyes and in his smile and by the things he said. There was a graciousness.

There is a bestselling book about his life, Unbroken, and a biography he wrote, Devil at My Heels. An interesting interview with Louis Zamperini can be viewed at this link: http://newsok.com/an-interview-to-remember-louis-zamperini/article/4986354

Louis Zamperini, a true hero.

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