Imperfect Forgiveness

Just when I thought I’d moved beyond it

I see wounds from the past and brokenness

Still impacting me today

Time has moved on

As has the one who fell short

Leaving scars in their wake

This side of heaven

My questions will remain unspoken

“Why?” and “What were you thinking?” will not be answered

I wish I had been able to talk it through

Or hear “I’m sorry”

And confess my sins against them too

Lord I need to forgive completely

Not dredge it up again

Let the pain remain in the past, not feel it afresh

Lord, I need to follow Your example

Forgive completely, once and for all

Cancel their debt

Help me to remember

Not only did Jesus pay my sin debt in full

But He died for the sins of the world

You are lavish in grace, mercy and forgiveness

Not holding my sin debt against me

You have cast my sin into the sea of forgetfulness

I need to remember

Unforgiveness is a sin

Like all sin, I must repent of it

Show me how to live this out day by day

Help me to remember that You never waste my trials and pain

You are working things out according to Your perfect plan

Thank You God that Your forgiveness is not like mine

You forgive fully and completely, even to the uttermost

Heavenly Father, help me to be more like You

by Susan Wachtel

June 19, 2014