Janice Canerdy | + Follow Poet |
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Notes About The Poem

               September 16, 2025, entered in Kai Michael Neumann's Forgiveness contest

                      *****************************************************************************

Love Requires Forgiveness--A Reminder to Myself

At times, you failed your family, yourself,
and God. Your conscience wouldn't quiet down
until you said, "I'm sorry. Could you please
forgive me?" All said "yes," but still you felt
remaining guilt you couldn't rise above.

You couldn't comprehend your frame of mind,
the feeling that--no matter how you tried--
you couldn't do enough to make amends.
You prayed to find the path to happiness
and knew that only God could show the way.

Then God revealed the truth you'd failed to grasp,
that peace and joy cannot abide in hearts
of those who can’t forgive or love themselves.
You felt the ease of conscience you’d long sought
when shackles of self-loathing fell away.

You still fail God, yourself, and family,
and you will do so till you breathe your last;
but now you can forgive and yourself,
for love enables people to forgive.

If love of self were wrong, would God have said
that we should love our neighbors as ourselves?

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Karen Jones Date: 3/10/2025 1:01:00 PM Janice your examination of self love including forgiveness is powerful and poignant! I especially like the ending question which is a great statement as well! Congratulations on your win in my contest! Login to Reply Janice Canerdy Date: 3/12/2025 7:40:00 AM Karen, thanks SO much!! Janice

Paula Goldsmith Date: 3/8/2025 8:55:00 AM What a powerful write you have here. Great Ending... Have a blessed day as you write away............ Login to Reply Janice Canerdy Date: 3/9/2025 6:00:00 AM Paula, thank you so much! Janice

Sara Kendrick Date: 3/8/2025 4:32:00 AM We all fail in ways that are not pleasing to ourselves and others, but we have to forgive ourselves and try to improve each day with the help of God. We are human and imperfect, but someday we will be in that perfect state with God. Way to go. Sara K Login to Reply Janice Canerdy Date: 3/9/2025 6:00:00 AM Yes, someday . . . ! Thanks so much, Sara. Janice