dear enemies and nemeses,
the one fighting to take away rights
the one who chooses guns over people
the pastor who scorns deconstructors
the ex who cheated and
the in-laws who blamed me for it
the star of the poem on page 65
the relative who disowned me
my prayer for you is wholeness
*
This is a poem from my new book, whole. And here’s some poem art I made earlier this week. (see the whole Cinderella poem art series here)
I had an epiphany recently. I’ve had “forgive my ex and his family” on my “Bucket List” for a while and hadn’t been making much progress, lol, when I had a lightbulb moment.
Instead of “forgiving” them, what if I wished/prayed for their wholeness? That seems pretty kind and gracious, right? Me wanting them to be whole?
But here’s the “catch” with that. In order for people who harmed me (and/or others) to truly find wholeness, they’d have to repent and make reparations, right?
So there you go.
How do y’all feel about the concept of forgiveness? (especially if you grew up evangelical and left)
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maddeningly, i'm coming to find forgiveness has little if anything to do with the actions or acknowledgment of the other. it is about ablsolving the investment--emotional, spiritual, relational--that was made between two people. The only one who can experience forgiveness is the forgiver--as in if someone owes me $100 and I forgive the debt, it doesn't matter if they are thankful, or resentful, or even refuse to acknowledge ("conveniently forget?) that I loaned them the money. Probably why it is one of the most challenging spiritual acts--it absolutely absolves the other party and only has to do about inner healing and growth. Im thinking "Praying for our enemies" is a result of forgiveness...proof that it is in progress.....???? thoughts.......
I am guessing the other to be "no"?