Forgiveness

Dear Ones,

This is a hard subject, but it's so important. Forgiving others of little slights isn't too bad, but forgiving others for lifelong damage done to either someone we love or to ourselves is terribly difficult. Maybe these thoughts will help you to see a different perspective and to see the importance of letting go.

Can you forgive a dreadful hurt?
Can you forgive again?
Can you, deep in your heart see love, where hate has been?

Can you have peace deep in your soul,
peace that makes the anger go?
Can you remember something good in the one who hurt you so?

Oh, you may say that it's not hate, but only hurt you feel,
but when you cannot let it go, it's hatred that is real.

Our God commands that we forgive with a forgiveness that's like His.
We may say, “It's not the same.”
God will tell us that it is.

Or we may say, "God, you don't understand the pain this one has caused."

Oh,

think again to whom you speak, and then you'll have to pause,
and remember what he did for you while hanging on the tree;
the pain, the torture and the shame that He bore for all to see.

And yet He cried out "God forgive them", as they caused His agony.
Forgiveness was the reason that He died on Calvary.

Can you forgive the one who hurt you?
Can you begin to love anew?
When we see God's love for us

we begin forgiveness too.

Yes, you can forgive a dreadful hurt and you can live without the pain
of memories that have pierced your heart
and let the hatred reign.

© Diane Gruchow 2010