Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
— Romans 5: 1-11
Forgiveness is not hard for me if it's something small. Now, if it's something more significant, it becomes challenging without God in my life.
My mother forgave me daily growing up. Bless her. I remember when I was in elementary school, I would get in trouble for horseplaying with my brother, but also for not doing well in school academically. When I saw how challenging life was for her, I felt inclined to ask her to forgive me through many "I'm sorry" sticky note messages. Without realizing it then, these were my first teachings on forgiveness.
I realize written apologies or words may never be sufficient to repair what's been broken, as in my story where I am growing up without the presence of a father.
As I think about forgiveness and how it relates to my story, I am reminded that forgiveness comes from God's grace through the Holy Spirit in me. It comes from His love for us. It comes from His peace and joy.
In my growing faith, through the support of my family and church, and God's love for me, and as I continue to walk in my story, sharing salt and light with the world, I have learned to forgive those absent in my life. I have learned to trust in His presence.
