A Mother's Worst Nightmare
On February 12, 1993, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mary Johnson faced every parent's worst nightmare. Her only son, 20-year-old Laramiun Byrd, was tragically shot and killed by a 16-year-old gang member, Oshea Israel. This devastating loss filled Mary, a Christian, with intense hatred and bitterness. She openly admitted, 'Even though I was a Christian woman, I was full of hatred. I wanted the worst for him and the worst was going to prison for the rest of his life.'
The Turning Point
For years, Mary struggled with her faith, driven by anger that isolated her from others. Despite saying she forgave Oshea because the Bible commands forgiveness, she confessed that her heart was still consumed by bitterness. The turning point came when she read a poem about two mothers—one whose child was murdered, the other whose child was the murderer. This poem made her realize the shared pain and led her to envision creating a support group for mothers in her situation.
God Heals Hatred and Bitterness
In 2003, Mary reached out to the Department of Corrections, seeking a meeting with Oshea. Initially, he refused, but in 2005, he agreed to meet her at Stillwater Prison. During their two-hour conversation, Mary saw Oshea's remorse, and he became human to her. At the end of their meeting, she felt a divine intervention, describing it as a feeling that rose from her feet and left her body, taking with it all her hatred and anger. 'I have never, ever in my life felt anything like it before,' she said. 'But I instantly knew that it was over—that I had been delivered, set free.'
A Forgiveness Ministry Born
This meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter. Mary founded 'From Death to Life,' an organization promoting healing and reconciliation between families of victims and perpetrators. When Oshea was released from prison in 2009, Mary's organization welcomed him with open arms. He even moved next door to Mary, and she became his 'spiritual mother.' Together, they spoke across the nation about the power of forgiveness and transformation.
Mary's journey, powered by God's transforming love, demonstrates the profound impact of choosing forgiveness. Her story, one of redemption and reconciliation, lives on through Oshea and her legacy of healing broken communities.
