Forgiveness

“And heard her whisper out a name long forgiven…”

The power to forgive is perhaps the greatest gift we possess. It’s a possession more powerful than love, more intense than kindness. Why is this gift not utilized more often, and how do we forgive those people who mistreat us? Forgiveness is something we all struggle with from time to time. We can’t comprehend the need to forgive those who stab us in the back, break our hearts and turn against us. When neglected, the power to forgive leaves us bitter and resentful. An unforgiving heart erodes the compassion we should be gathering in times for forgiveness.  

I played junior varsity doubles in seventh grade. My doubles partner collected so many unforced errors during a second set tiebreaker that it left us with little chance of reaching a third set. We lost the set and the competition because my partner was having a bad day. She volleyed balls into the net and repeatedly sent shots flying beyond the lines during the tiebreaker. I was angry at her for messing up our chances for a third set. She was clearly upset about her play during that climatic second set. It was up to me to use my power of forgiveness to improve the situation. The results weren’t going to change if I simmered in my own selfish sullenness. We already lost the match. I kept my anger to myself, and in an effort to show forgiveness, let her know it was okay we lost. We would win next time.

Forgiveness. I implore you to try it. What if you were my doubles partner? Wouldn’t you want to be forgiven? Wouldn’t you feel bad enough about muddying a match without having to also listen to me whine and stew about it? I think back to that situation and realize it was the right thing to do. It’s harder to bring that mindset to more severe situations. How do you forgive someone who does something malicious to you? I guess the answer is this: you just do. It’s the right thing to do. It goes back to the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have done to you. Forgiveness is not an easy gesture, but it shows character. More than love, more than kindness. It would be a sad day if we stopped using the gift of forgiveness. “I forgive you”—try it today.

“When her days are grey and her nights are black—different shades of mundane”