By Davalynn Spencer @davalynnspencer
Since today is National Authors Day, I’d like to welcome friend and fellow Western author Alicia Whittle as she shares how her own life’s journey influenced scenes in her latest title, The Sheriff’s Dilemma.
As a child, I was raised to believe that breaking certain religious rules could ostracize a person from that church family.
I learned as a young adult that God’s forgiveness is universal because Jesus died for our sins. If we accept Him into our lives, our slate is clean.
This amazing revelation shocked me. A huge burden lifted. Afterwards, I spent my spare time examining Scripture, which I had never done before.
Later in life, a sibling hurt me emotionally, and it took me a long time to forgive. I kept asking God to help me overlook what happened and why, and He helped me through what was a tough process for me.
Forgiveness is a big deal. This concept carried over into my book, The Sheriff’s Dilemma. I wanted the heroine to discover what it meant to forgive herself and the man who made false promises to her.
Many of us have read or heard of Matthew 18:21-22 and its encouragement toward limitless forgiveness—as many as “seventy times seven.” Additional Scriptures speak of forgiveness too. Since it is mentioned more than once, it stands to reason that forgiving others and ourselves is important.
Perhaps the next time a driver cuts us off on the road, or something even worse happens, we can whisper, “Father, forgive them, because they know not what they do.” It can help us in the forgiving process too.
~
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.
Matthew 18:21-22
Kathleen paced. “There is another thing. I cannot even pray for myself. My church cast me out because of my sin.”
Emily reached for her.
Kathleen slumped down on the bed next to Emily.
“I will talk with Garrett. His nature is to be curious. After all, his father was a Pinkerton. But you and I need to talk about God’s mercy.”
“God’s mercy?”
“Yes. God sent his Son to save us from our sins. All we have to do is ask Him for forgiveness and ask Jesus to be our Savior.”
Kathleen dropped her head. “It cannot be that simple. I am supposed to do penance for my sins.”
“God demanded sacrifices in the Old Testament. The New Testament teaches us He sent Jesus to be our sacrifice, thus opening the gates of heaven for our salvation.”
“It is hard for me to follow that thinking.”
“Can we pray?” Emily reached for the young woman’s hands.
“You mean now? Aloud?”
“Yes, dear.” She held both of Kathleen’s hands in hers. “Heavenly Father, help Kathleen understand Your mercy and accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She so much wants to love You and be comfortable with her situation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
While Emily prayed with her, warmth filled Kathleen’s heart. She lifted her head. “That is it? I can use my own words?”
“Of course.”
Kathleen whispered, “God, please forgive me.” ~The Sheriff’s Dilemma
From watching Saturday-morning cowboy TV shows as a child to traveling the world with her Air Force husband, Alicia Whittle developed a love of writing romance out West—her favorite setting for romance where God impacts her characters’ lives.
Contact her at: https://aliciawhittle.com; email Alicia.r.whittle@gmail.com; Facebook/Meta @writeroutwest, and Instagram alicia.r.whittle.author.
Inspirational Western Romance – where the hero is heroic.
Connect with Davalynn via:
#lovingthecowboy
(c) 2026 Davalynn Spencer, all rights reserved.
#WesternRomance #ChristianFiction #FreeBook #HistoricalRomance #AmericanWestRomance
