Forgiving is a gift to yourself. It is external to the one who has wronged you. They don't need or even necessarily want your forgiveness. They may or may not deserve your forgiveness, but you do. You deserve to have their burden lifted from your shoulders. To forgive is to give yourself permission to walk on, leaving their brokeness behind. If not, you carry it with you and it becomes yours. I, also, have struggled with an abusive, at times evil, mother. When I finally realized it was something broken within her, not me, I was able to forgive but not forget and it honestly has gotten easier and your vicious tongue doesn't hurt like it used to. I, also, feel trust and forgiveness are two seperate things. You can have one without the other. You can forgive the wrongful action, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should freely hand out your trust and allow them a second opportunity.
Last edited by nadaurz; 05/28/08 08:30 AM.
