Unforgiveness

Photo by Claudia Wolff

I keep looking at his sin and thinking,
“How can I
EVER forgive THIS?”

I keep thinking about the audacity,
with outrage.
Betrayal with a kiss. ¹

Lies and more lies. Deep wounds
inflicted, intentionally.
Multiple injuries—bleeding.

I might have reduced the suffering...
but, now it’s too late
for balm we were needing.

Sins of selfishness against his peers,
against his loved ones—
who blindly trusted.

But now, I can see. And now,
I know. Now,
I’m just disgusted.

Here in my corner of anger and judgment,
along with sadness,
revenge is a treat.

Gulping unforgiveness quenches
my thirst for payback, ²
and tastes sweet.

Yet, I know this drink is poison.
Not life-giving ³
(although addicting).

Somehow, I must heed my Savior’s bidding
and take the antidote
He’s mixing.

Open up my will, not just my head.
And learn from Him who saw
great wrong and pain.

He was offended and abused by
so much more than I—
yet, He saw gain...

By loving the offenders,
dying for them,
(and for me).

He also loved the victims—
both captives and captors,
whom He came to free. ⁴

He is my example. ⁵ How to forgive?
I must love more—
love from my heart. ⁶

I can choose today to have mercy ⁷
toward the offender.
And, that’s a good start.