“FORGIVENESS“

Matthew West’s song “Forgiveness” was inspired by the true story of Renee Napier. After her 20-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver named Eric Smallridge, Renee was consumed by bitterness until she made the decision to forgive him.

In 2002, Eric Smallridge – a 23-year-old on his first offense of drunk driving ~ cased an accident that took the lives of two young women, including Renee’s daughter, Meagan. Eric was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Following the accident, Renee was left in immense grief, but she realized that her hatred and bitterness made her feel like a prisoner just as much as Eric was in prison. After experiencing a divine prompting, she reached out to Eric in prison to offer him her forgiveness and share her Christian faith. This act profoundly changed Eric, leading him to accept Christ.

When Matthew West put out a call for people to share their real-life stories for his songwriting, Renee submitted her account. Struck by the powerful display of radical grace, Matthew was moved to write the song “Forgiveness”.

The impact of Renee’s forgiveness went far beyond the song:

 ~ Renee and her family advocated for Eric, asking a judge to cut his 22-year sentence in half, which the judge agreed to do.

~ Upon Eric’s release, the two formed an unlikely friendship and began traveling to schools together to speak to students about the dangers of drunk driving and the power of forgiveness.

Matthew 18:21-22, Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy – seven times.” (NASB)

Matthew 6: 14-15, “For if you forgive other people for their offenses , your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.

You can read more about  Renee’s journey and listen to the song directly on Matthew West’s Podcast Episode 43.