Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. Luke 7:47
A long time ago, I hurt somebody. I don’t know him anymore, but I suspect that he has never forgiven me. Deep down, I suppose I think it serves me right. Yet no matter how far the incident recedes into my past, it haunts me a little. It weighs me down. I feel ever so slightly held hostage by a person I never expect to see again.
I think of this when I read the story of Jesus pardoning the sinful woman. She went a little overboard, don’t you think, with the tears and the hair and the expensive perfume? Now that’s lavish gratitude! Wouldn’t “thank you” have been enough?
Maybe not. I imagine what it would feel like to know that my former friend had forgiven me—that he truly bore me no ill will. No, I wouldn’t cry on his feet. But I would feel released. And I would definitely feel grateful.
A long time ago, somebody hurt me. She doesn’t know it, but I have never forgiven her. Maybe it’s time for me to let it go.
God, help me to forgive.
Karla Manternach
Originally published June 17, 2007
