Your Son, beloved One, taught what is true,
it's simple, though it's often hard to do.
The golden rule is "do for someone else
just as you would have them do unto you."
He told us the old rule of eye for eye
was done; to let the anger pass me by,
and not resist, but offer more than asked.
My enemy is not less loved than I.
The one who nurses anger does a sin,
and now I ask you, cleanse my soul within
of any grievance, grudge or hurtful thought;
and help me greet all humankind as kin.
So God, in mercy, help me to forgive,
and bless the ones who hurt me; all to live
in peace and love, and with unburdened hearts.
May all receive the blessings that I give.
Author notes
For the one who said I must forgive her, with blessings.
In a list
Please tell me what you think.
Comments
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This is a prayer ...
one should carry next to the treacherous heart ... How tender a yearning: May all receive the blessings that I give.
And is forgiveness not the most wondrous blessing? For He had forgiven us FIRST!
Thank you, Margaret, for the truth in beautiful poetry.
Love
Myra
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Thank you Myra, yes, forgiving is a blessing that I wish everyone knew. However, several people say it is too hard, or impossible, or they just refuse. I'm glad there are a few around me who practise it!
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Inspiring poem.
Thought-provoking indeed! You were TOLD you had to forgive? Incredible gall! But then, I was not the victim here. Still, we must be thankful too, for there was a great poem in it--a gift she had not intended, I'm sure. And your message is prime!
In fact, two poems. Mine too.
There is irony in the fact
that the very best of us,
least deserving, attacked,
find here the most serious
challenge to our identity,
including well-being, health
and happiness. Indignity,
product of enemy stealth.
Remember that the enemy
undeserved by the benign,
self-consumed, will surely
be harmed more by design,
remaining soul-guilty
throughout eternity.
Pseudo-Petrarchan Thoughts
No pentameters here, or metre, but that was inspired --as so often seems to happen, by yours.
In fact, almost all my poems come this way!
If I were the one attacked, would my anger permit poetry? The soft answer that "turneth away wrath" has, in my experience, induced repeated attacks. Calloused, they become a waste of time.
Seems to me, I must take lessons in forgiving!
Excellent experience!
Terry
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Dear Margaret,
It's often very difficult to do
what Jesus Christ our Saviour tried to teach
especially when others anger you
and they, themselves, don't practice what they preach.
Your poem expresses much that's very true
and I concur entirely with your prayer.
The sentiments are typical of you
which, I am sure, are totally sincere.
We're told that we should 'turn the other cheek'
and love our enemy nor hate a foe
but my experience is that the meek
get trodden on and what I'd like to know
is: Why am I expected to be good
when other bums don't treat me like THEY should?
~~~
Note: The irreverent concluding couplet above is in no way a reflection on your fine poem which I applaud,
It’s just that sometimes people get me so ……#@&$!
.....with love and hugs, XXX Hugh.
"To err is human - to forgive divine."
Who was it said that?
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Thank you, Hugh. ((hugs))
"All people commit sins and make mistakes. God forgives them, and people are acting in a godlike (divine) way when they forgive." from “An Essay on Criticism,” by Alexander Pope.
"Who will not mercy unto others show, How can he mercy ever hope to have?", Edmund Spenser
As Sea Angel quoted in her comment below, forgiving is not done for the other person, but for oneself. I strive to be good because that is how I feel better about myself and my place in the world. If others behave differently, that is their concern.
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beautiful
this poem flows like a benediction...
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Thank you very much.
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LOVE THIS!
This reminds me of Dr. Phil's Life Law #9 about forgiveness in his book "Life Strategies. Which reminds me of the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9-15.
"Life Law #9: There is power in forgiveness.
Strategy: Open your eyes to what anger and resentment are doing to you. Take your power back from those who have hurt you.
Hate, anger and resentment are destructive, eating away at the heart and soul of the person who carries them. They are absolutely incompatible with your own peace, joy and relaxation. Ugly emotions change who you are and contaminate every relationship you have. They can also take a physical toll on your body, including sleep disturbance, headaches, back spasms, and even heart attacks.
Forgiveness sets you free from the bonds of hatred, anger and resentment. The only way to rise above the negatives of a relationship in which you were hurt is to take the moral high ground, and forgive the person who hurt you.
Forgiveness is not about another person who has transgressed against you; it is about you. Forgiveness is about doing whatever it takes to preserve the power to create your own emotional state. It is a gift to yourself and it frees you. You don't have to have the other person's cooperation, and they do not have to be sorry or admit the error of their ways. Do it for yourself."
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Thank you for your comment Sea, that is a good quote that you found, and it illustrates the poem very well.
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Seven times seventy seven...
How sweet to let go of grievance and to open the heart to the outflow of love, which is the inflow of Love. Though I am obviously not the one who asked forgiveness, I gratefully receive the blessing that is you.
Be peace and be you ever blessed,
Rahad
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Thank you for your encouraging comment Rahad. You know the sweetness, you are a guide for us all.
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