Never Let You Go

Erin Healy is an incredibly talented writer.

I was first introduced to her when she co-wrote Kiss with Ted Dekker. Then they collaborated on a second novel, Burn. I recommend both titles, but for me, Never Let You Go takes the prize. (And I have yet to read The Promises She Keeps and The Baker's Wife.)

Never Let You Go is Erin's first solo project as a writer, and she knocked it out of the park.

Her way with words inspires me.

Her range of vocabulary is strong.

Her imagery is fresh and sharply visual.

Her message edifies.

The story is ultimately about forgiveness. The thrilling path to understanding is long and forked and twisted. The characters experience tragedy, betrayal, and redemption. Good and evil assume physical forms and interact to protect and destroy lives. God's love as Erin reveals it will bring tears to your eyes.

Forgiveness is something I struggle to understand and struggle even more to execute successfully. Never Let You Go reminds me of the price for withholding forgiveness.

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

"Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.

"But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'

"Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'

"And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.

"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

"So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

—Matthew 18:21-35 NKJV

 Do you struggle to forgive people who have wronged you?