The word “forgive” means to wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to cancel a debt. When we wrong someone, we seek his or her forgiveness in order for the relationship to be restored. It is important to remember that forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. Instead, it is an act of love, mercy, and grace.

Granting forgiveness is as much of a surrender as asking for it. All too often, we take an attitude that we can forgive but never forget. How can we claim to truly have forgiven if we cannot give those who wronged us the chance to make amends? The chance to prove that we deserve this forgiveness?

I forgive those who have wronged me, and grant them the benifit of the doubt that they do deserve forgiveness, that the same forgiveness be given to me.

Much love to the people jn my life. None are perfect, and none should be punished for their whole lives for a mistake, which any person can make.