Learning to Forgive – A Poem
Many years ago the Lord taught me the importance of forgiving others. The command to forgive as we have been forgiven is not meant to be a burden, but rather a means of giving our burdens to God and lightening our spiritual load.
I never intended this blog to be a poetry blog, and I’m sure it will never exclusively be poetry, but I seem to be drawn to this medium lately. The other day this poem came to me about my own journey to forgiveness.
Learning to Forgive
I held it inside
The anger, the bitterness
I hated you
I blamed you for everything
For every tear and every dark cloud
Because of what you did
But you didn’t care
You didn’t even know
I only hurt me more
He let it all out
The anger, the wrath
It poured out with His blood
He loved me
He forgave me for everything
For every tear and every sin
In spite of what I did
But I didn’t care
I didn’t even know
I only hurt Him more
Then He showed me the way
To let go of the anger, the bitterness
To forgive as He has forgiven
To love as He loved me
I don’t hurt anymore
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:33-34 (NIV).
9/20/11 Update: I linked this poem at dVerse Poets Pub for the Open Link Night Week 10.
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I like how you point out that the instruction to forgive is not meant to be a burden but is meant to guide us to God, who can help us with our burdens,
Thanks. I’ve found that forgiving is as much of a blessing as being forgiven.
very moving words.
you have a nature with words.
Thanks. I just write what I know. 🙂 Peace, Linda
thank you for writing this if i didn’t read this when i did i never would have been able to forgive my father for what he has done. so thank you again<3
Amy, I’m so glad this poem was a blessing to you and helped you to forgive. I pray you will let Jesus heal your broken heart. Peace, Linda
Very good insight. The relation and connection is rather well done. Forgiveness is often a struggle but it’s true, not doing so means we only hurt ourselves. Your poem also shows that either you would do it for religion or not, you are just better off letting things go. Thanks for sharing this through your poem.
Thanks, letting go and forgiving is definitely a hard lesson to learn. For me, I don’t think I would have learned it without God’s involvement in showing me what forgiveness is. I was pretty stubborn in holding onto my anger and bitterness for a long time. But hanging onto it did only hurt me really. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a thoughtful comment. Peace, Linda
Forgiving is truly the best we can give ourself and others.
Beautifully written, Linda.
Jannie, Thanks, I completely agree. It is sad that so many people resist forgiving others because they think that forgiving means what the other person did was okay. But it doesn’t mean that at all. Peace, Linda
Thank you Linda for sharing your poem with me. All poetry is beautiful. I believe that poetry is about passion and whatever passion brings you to sit down and hammer out these stanzas is what God has given you. I don’t try to explain my own passion because I don’t know where it comes from, I don’t understand it and I’m not sure if I want to. I just know that there is an overwhelming desire within that forces me to write. And it’s been there since early childhood, my mother havint written my poetry for me becase I didn’t even know the alphabet and yet I was dictating these poems. As a child it was hidden away, no one else knew about it except my mother. No one else seemed to have the same affliction, it appeared that I was the odd bird out, so I would sulk away and only write in complete solitude, when brothers and sisters wouldn’t find me writing, or stealing away with tales by Emily dickinson or Mark Twain, never wanting them to see me, believing they would think me odd. And even today I think some of them believe I am odd for having this passion. I didn’t understand the passion adn I didn’t understand how I felt. I didn’t know that is simmply what poets feel. In my late teens and early 20’s I decided this was a personal thing, an extreme gift from God meant only for my eyes, and maybe for the eyes of those people who inspired me so intensely. So I wouldn’t prostitute it, try to make it my living, instead keeping it secure and beautifully wrapped just inside of me. Then life hit. college, career, family. I didn’t write for many, many years. And then it came back. I’m 52 now and have only just this year decided to share my poetry with the world. As I grow older and more informed of life in this world and the constant things it has held through out the centuries, I’ve decided that my poetry won’t be surprisingly found scattered about the confines of my hermitage after my death, as was the case with Emily. And so instead I will simply share it…. Linda your poetry is as beautiful as any I have ever seen. I apologize for the length of this message but I just wanted you to know the story of another poet, because I think that’s what you are….. I’m really glad you posted this……
John, Thank you for sharing your story and for your kind words regarding my poetry. I have always been a writer, but only recently began writing poetry in earnest. Sometimes poems just come to me, often during times of prayer, and I have to write them down. I’ve never thought of myself as “a poet,” but I suppose I am. But first and foremost I am a child of God who desires to bring Him glory in all that I do and write. I look forward to checking out your poetry on your blog. Peace, Linda
This is truly a gift and so heart filled I hope one day he will care and you will not have to hurt so much thanks for sharing
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/20/the-fait-of-our-lands/#comment-1018
Sarah, Thanks. The One who matters, my dear Jesus, does care and has taken away the pain. I also have my sweet husband who loves me dearly. The person from the first stanza is no longer someone I have contact with and is not relevant in my life. Glad you liked the poem, it was heart-felt. Peace, Linda
forgiveness is the greatest gift we can not only give others but ourselves…that being said it is often the hardest lesson to learn, though we have the greatest example…nice write linda…
Brian, Forgiveness is the greatest gift! It is a lesson I’ve had to relearn often, though it seems to stick better each time. Peace, Linda
Great write, true words behind it too, nicely done!
Lovely poem. I understand the poetry connection, This one was written in 1986. We are nothing if we don’t forgive. We have nothing if we don’t forgive
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I really like this kind of poetry… where the words don’t really rhyme, but flow.
I struggle with forgiving people that hurt me, too. Sometimes I have to talk it over with God several days in a row.
“Then he showed me the way, to let got of the anger, the bitterness.” And it’s so true. I needed this blessed reminder. Hugs…
Linda, I find it most difficult to forgive the little, daily things that bug me than to forgive the big hurts that are all said and done. It does take talking it over with God and asking for His power to forgive. I certainly was never able to do it on my own. Peace, Linda
I love how and what you express through poetry! It means all the more when He just sends them to you. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your special poems with us! God bless you and all the ways He speaks through you!
Deb, I am so thankful that reading your poetry has been a big part of my own ventures into poetry writing. I do quite enjoy it – to say so much with so few words is challenging and a blessing because I must always rely on Jesus. Peace, Linda
Thank you, Linda
“… But you didn’t care
You didn’t even know
I only hurt me more”
I still hear this echoing… when we choose not to forgive those who hurt us, we truly hurt ourselves.
Blessings,
ann
Ann, For far too many years I allowed my anger to continue hurting only me. I am so thankful Jesus showed me how He forgives. Peace, Linda
You have a gift. Your writing is heartfelt and real.
Thank you. That means a lot coming from you. Peace, Linda