What forgiveness is, isn’t, or maybe I’m wrong. (A series of three parts.) Part I

When someone shares about an offense that has occurred, I often say, “I’m sorry that happened.” To which some respond, “You have nothing to be sorry for; you didn’t do it.”

The word emergency in white on a red sign in front of a hospital.

Conversely, when I have shared about an offense happening to me and the listener says, “I’m so sorry.” I understand this to mean they are sorry for the pain I am in. They are sorry that I am hurting. It brings a bit of comfort to the wound.

This repeated response from others left me wondering if I shouldn’t be saying, “I’m sorry,” when I did not create the injury. So I headed to my trusty dictionary, the 1928 Webster’s version because I’m – older. 😊

Tall bookcase with old bound books. Rolling ladder crosses the front of them for climbing up to higher shelves.

It says sorry is used when you are grieved about a loss or evil that has happened to a person or country. To me, this means I can use it as a term of compassion, but so can the offender.

What does this have to do with forgiveness?

White stone etching of Christ carrying the cross.

Because I am writing about forgiveness this month, it seems opportunities have come to forgive, or I am more astutely aware because I am blogging about it. Either way, these offenses hurt.

One example from this month, as I loaded my car with groceries at my local Sam’s Club, a woman approached me. She informed me a lady slammed into the front of my parked car with her truck and then drove off to another parking place.

What? No note. No accountability. No, “I’m sorry.”

There are worse examples of offense in the world, and there are lesser ones. As a Christian, I have one job when faced with a loss or evil done to me.

I am to forgive.

The Cross of Compassion

Office windows, at night. The lights inside the office allow you to see ceilings and part of the office settings, and people in a few.

Jesus’ death on the cross was an act of compassion from God to us. Like the men who were going to stone the woman to death, Jesus said that any of them who had never sinned could throw the first stone.

I have sinned. I will sin again. It is a guarantee. And so will you.

“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”” (Luke 23:33-34 ESV)

Mirrors Reveal

Remember the first time you stood by mirrors, and their positioning showed an infinite number of your reflections? This statement by Jesus reflects the uncountable number of offenses from the beginning of creation until he returns.

They didn’t know how much this sacrifice pained God.

They didn’t know they were killing the Kind of kings.

They didn’t know Christ’s death would free them from their tresspasses.

Jesus’ compassion, for us, at that moment, cripples my own defense to hold onto an offense. I pray it does for you too.

Someone standing at a door mat that says, Come as you are.

Jesus, help us see when we are being the men with stones in our hands. Amen.

Your Turn

Do you apologize too, when someone shares a painful story with you?

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

PS I would appreciate some prayer as I interview people with applicabale life experiences for my Devotional. Thank you!

Photo by Mike Kononov on Unsplash (Office Windows)

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash (Christ with Cross)

Photo by Henry Be on Unsplash (old books)

Photo by Robert Linder on Unsplash (emergency)

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I would love to hear from you! Say unto others as you would have them say unto you.