Forgiveness can be hard. The One who gave it best had to bleed, bruised, on a Cross to do it.
Forgiveness can be beautiful. It can restore broken bridges, heal shipwrecked marriages, beckon prodigals home.
Forgiveness can be messy. Though we have the best of intentions, it may not immediately and perfectly bring reconciliation to our human relationships, especially where trust has been broken. But it always brings us closer to the Great Forgiver.
Forgiveness rarely comes in a lovely wrapped box with a pretty bow around it.
In wonder at the Great Forgiver… at what He’s asked me to do… at the forgiveness He’s given me… this poem came to mind.
Maybe it’s too childlike. Maybe it’s too messy. Maybe it’s plain, simple.
But so is Forgiveness.
In my heart I held you captive
Thinking I could make you pay
That someday you’d be sorry
For the wounds you gave that day
In my heart I held you captive
Hoping somehow I could change
The way you felt about me
And perhaps begin again
In my heart I held you captive
Afraid that letting go of you
Meant giving up my own identity
The only one I knew
In my heart I held you captive
But now I finally see
When I was holding on to you
The Prisoner was me
He knocked softly on my heart
He said, Please let me in
And the shackles of the past fell off
When I said Yes to Him
The punishment that brought us peace
He carried and He bore
I forgave you then, I forgive you now
For He forgives, forevermore
Turn in your anger, take forgiveness
Trade bitterness for peace
He came to seek the captives out
He came to set us free.
I feared that I could never be
The love they’re looking for
The past was holding on too tight…
The fears of all before.
Now I’m letting go of it
To hold on to the One
Who never gave up loving us
God’s perfect, Holy Son.
And when I look into their eyes,
I tell them truthfully,
I’ll be the strength and love you need
For He has made me free.
Ruth Bell Graham said, “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” But I’ve learned that for a marriage to be happy, for a mother to be happy, that doesn’t mean just forgiving each other. No, we mustn’t stop there. We must forgive the far distant past too, if we’re be free to live and love today. You see, forgiveness isn’t an isolated event. It’s a part of your personhood. It’s a part of your faith. Christianity wouldn’t be Christianity without forgiveness.
Can you think of a time when making a choice to give or receive forgiveness changed your life? Share below, friends. I’d love to hear from you.
For advice on forgiveness with healthy boundaries, read the popular book Boundaries, * by Drs. Cloud and Townsend. It’s wisdom and grace holding hands on paper, mingled with grit and strength.
And if forgiveness is hard for you today? Don’t give up. After all, He hasn’t given up on you.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
Clinging to the Great Forgiver today,
Laura Jane
*Some posts may contain affiliate links. I will only promote books that I have personally read and that I believe will interest my readers.
Forgiveness is a process that challenges me. I often find myself wanting to impose justice on the person that hurt me but God calls me to grace. I’m learning to let go and let God handle it. Such a good reminder Laura!
Oh, Alina, I can relate, I have a strong sense of justice too… forgiveness is a hard one for that reason. You’re so right, it is a process… and I think it’s ok if we have to forgive again, and again, and again, when the same old hurt starts to sting. Thank you so much for being here:) love, Laura