Forgiving does not mean forgetting

Wednesday Word

The little baggie of seashells lay on the dresser and seemed to whisper, “it’s time.”
Thanks for joining us for Wednesday’s Word with Kim-Evinda and Trench Classes United. Have you ever confused forgetting with forgiving? Today’s blog is written for such a time as this.
She turned her laptop on and opened her Word program and then stopped. Her trauma therapist’s words echoed in the hallway of her soul: “True forgiveness is considering the cost; what did their action cost you?”
When she thought of all that it had cost her and she waited for the anger, resentment and hurt to crush her as it had in the past, but none of those familiar emotions swept her away to that dark place. The pain and sorrow still were there but no longer held her captive.
She realized that while she would never forget, she was ready to forgive. There were so many revelations she had picked up along the way to get to this point. She listed them in her mind before proceeding with the letter.
Forgiveness is not something to be rushed
Forgiveness is not a magic eraser, wiping the act or actions away from the memory
Forgiveness is not acceptance of the act or actions that require forgiveness
Forgiveness is not ignoring the act or actions that require forgiveness
Because she understood what it wasn’t, she was able to see more clearly what forgiveness is: Freedom…freedom to let go of the many misperceptions that keep one emotionally imprisoned, freedom to continue to forgive every time a memory rises to the surface or a trigger pulls on the heartstrings, freedom to set boundaries to encourage healing and prevent continued trauma, freedom to do what God does for us every single time we ask: FORGIVE.
Yes, she finally realized that holding on to anger, resentment and the pain and sorrow were costing her all these freedoms, and that’s not the way her Father wanted her to live; He wanted her to live forgiven and forgiving.

She typed her letter to her sister-in-law in a matter of minutes, read it over and wherever there was a check in her Spirit, she made changes. Satisfied, she sent it to the printer. Now all she had to do was send it.
​
Friend, is there someone you haven’t forgiven for something? I’d love to hear from you; maybe we could encourage each other on in this journey of forgiveness.

Forgiven and forgiving,
Kim-Evinda