Faith Not Luck

In his novel The River We Remember, William Kent Krueger explores the pasts of multiple characters and how in the present they struggle with forgiveness and finding freedom from their mistakes. Finally, the sheriff confesses all his sins to someone and finds acceptance. From there, he begins a path of growth and healing and begins to set others free. At the end of the novel, the author writes, “We all die, but some of us—those who are blessed or maybe just lucky—have the opportunity before that end to be redeemed. We can let go, forgive others, and forgive ourselves for the worst of what we are or have been” (William Kent Krueger, The River We Remember [New York: Atria Books, 2023], 425). The sentiment is true, but we do not have to rely on luck—all we must do is put our faith in Jesus to experience forgiveness, acceptance, love, and community.