This was a life-changer. The author does a beautiful job of exploring the Amish view of and commitment to forgiveness, even in the face of something as overwhelmingly evil and tragic as the Nickel Mines shooting. While they do review and explore the shooting itself, the book goes way beyond that one event. The shooting is only a doorway to explore how fundamental forgiveness is to Amish daily life.

There were many elements of the Amish tradition that were deeply moving. They strive so greatly to embody Christ's teachings, which includes not judging others. One of the great lines from an Amish minister: "We believe in letting our light shine, but not shining it in other people's faces." For them, actions are what speak for you - not words.

Reading this, it's very easy to idealize the Amish people and their traditions, yet the authors present a balanced view of some of the pitfalls of their ideology. Still, I couldn't help but feel that, at the end of the day, they are getting so much right. Humility, love, forgiveness, and true service. They all require daily practice, sometimes hourly. I would settle for a fraction of that diligence and mindfulness.

As I said, this really was a life-changer. I've had a strong interest in the concept of forgiveness for several years now, before which I gave it little thought. In the last year, it's a dominant issue in my world. There was much in this book that spoke to the "how" and the "why" of forgiving, both spiritually and psychologically, that has already changed my perspective for the better. I know that the material will continue to unfold in me for many years to come.

Last point - I actually listened to this from my iPhone, via the Overdrive library app, and the reading was great.