I Choose To Forgive

There is a healing power in forgiveness. It releases one from a bitter wilderness. But who benefits from this 'forgiveness power'? Does its power effect the offender as the other? The freeing power of forgiveness resides in each of us. Why should we carry such power with us at death to the dust? Regardless of the offense, or the evil of what he has perpetrated, when we set the offender free, we too are then liberated. Forgiving a rapist does not mean one has to ever trust him again. I don't have to forget in order to forgive, nor sit next to him on a train Forgiving a serial killer does not mean I am advocating his release from prison. My betraying confidant need never again enter the secret corridors of my heart for any reason. When I forgive, I drop the charges against the offender; then, my chains are broken. And I refuse to withdraw into a box of words unspoken, nor will I be locked down or frozen. From the deepest pit in my heart, I will release my offender, be empowered by God's Grace, and to him my mercies will be extended. It is very hard for us, but humans are imperfect, and few if any ever escape our world without offending, or being offended. 10252017 PS Contest, Healing Power Of Forgiveness, Line Gauthier