Forgiveness

This was an epiphany for me at a conference a few weeks ago.  Forgiveness does not mean excusing someone from the wrong they did.  I always thought that I had to find a way that I could understand and accept what was done to me.  I can forgive and still believe and know that what was done was wrong.  Forgiveness is letting it go, acknowledging the hurt, but letting it go, saying it was wrong, but moving past that. It is placing it in a balloon and letting it rise away from me.  But, I can still feel sad, unhappy at the wrong.  I don't have to forget.  I can pray for the offender without wishing them harm.  That is forgiveness.

I can move on.  I can find a way that the hurt is not repeated.  I do not have to accept continual wrong treatment.  But, I do not have to carry bitterness, anger, rage, resentment, because I can chose to forgive. Win, win, win.

Wrong is wrong and forgiveness doesn't change that.  That knowledge makes forgiveness easier.  It makes it possible.  Forgiveness is a gift to myself.