The Jesus I Know 10-Day DevotionalSample

Finding the Jesus Who Forgives: A Conversation with Vicki Gifford Kennedy

Kathie Lee
In 1981, my husband Frank’s daughter, Vicki, married Michael Kennedy, the sixth child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy. Michael tragically died in a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado, on New Year’s Eve 1997. This is Vicki’s story with Jesus.

Vicki

As a child, I remember going to church when we lived in California and learning the Lord’s Prayer. When we moved to New York, we kind of fell out of the habit of going to church. I got my moral bearings more from my dad’s idea of sportsmanship. 

My husband, Michael was religious, believe it or not. The first twelve years of our marriage were good years before he went into this dark place. He was addicted to alcohol and drugs. He went to rehab three times, and I would always go to the family programs. I know he always wanted to be better, but when he stopped drinking, the womanizing got worse. 

Kathie Lee

After Michael had passed, you wanted to go to Israel, I know.

Vicki

I was thrilled to go. It was more about going to a historical place rather than the religious side. When we were at the Jordan River getting baptized, I said a prayer: "Jesus, what should I say?" I was tired of being angry, and I wanted to forgive. I remember thinking, "That’s the answer. I don’t want to be angry." I had a lot of anger toward a lot of people in my life. I don’t know if I’ve learned to forgive, but I’ve let go of a lot of the anger.

Kathie Lee

What comes to mind when you think about, or hear the name, Jesus? 

Vicki

I think about forgiving. He forgives me, and He forgives everybody. It’s really incredibly intimate when you know that. He gives me the ability to, I guess, let it go and think about what’s really important.

Kathie Lee

That’s an intimacy you share with Him now that you didn’t have before. I wanted you to go to Israel so you would find truth, and when you found truth, that you would find peace. On the shore of the Jordan, you said, “I don’t have enough faith,” but it just has to be the size of a mustard seed.

Vicki

That was what it was for me. This little part of me that could accept. I’m not there one hundred percent, but I think that experience at the Jordan River was the Lord’s way of telling me I needed to focus on Him. I need to stick with that, letting go of the anger and forgiving people.

Kathie Lee

The Word of God talks about how God collects our tears in a bottle. Every one is precious to Him. 

Vicki

Yeah, but at a certain point, it’s not about your history; it’s about what you’re going to do moving forward. That’s, again, one thing I feel appreciative learning about, the little I know about Jesus. One thing at a time for me, and for me, that’s forgiving people.

Kathie Lee

From my perspective, the hugest change I see in you is that you now feel you are precious to God, that you are loved.

Respond

What experiences in your life make it difficult for you to forgive others?

How does forgiving others, and receiving God’s forgiveness change you?

What small, mustard-seed step of faith can you take closer to God today? 

Prayer

Thank You Jesus that You meet each of us at the place where we need healing, forgiveness, and the ability to forgive others. Take my small steps of faith and draw me closer to You, deepen my faith and understanding of Your love, and help me focus on You. Amen.