Forgive as you have been forgiven.

 Dear Diary…

“I can understand, but I will not let go.”

 That’s the philosophy I live by when it comes to forgiveness. I can understand why you possibly did something, but I definitely won’t let go of what you did, no matter what. I ’ve always viewed forgiveness as something people do because they’re weak.

Weakness.

And that’s something I rarely ever try to be…weak. If I forgive this person, they’ll do it again. And because they know I’d forgive them, they won’t stop doing it. If they won’t stop doing it, I’ll keep getting hurt by that intentional behavior… and that would make me weak. I don’t like that.

But the past few months changed something for me. Forgiveness isn’t weakness. Forgiveness is strength.

It isn’t for the offender, it’s for the offended. It’s releasing yourself from the pain. It’s giving yourself grace, which—if you choose, can be extended to the other person (depending on the situation).

Forgiveness is letting go of expectations. Not because someone can’t meet them, but because they’ve caged you into believing there’s only one way to heal. One route to closure. But sometimes? The closure is in the letting go.A lot of people think forgiveness means letting someone back in. It doesn’t.

“Forgive and forget” is a myth. It’s “forgive as you have been forgiven.”

Forgiveness doesn’t mean default access. It doesn’t mean things go back to normal. That “forgetness”, It has to be earned. And honestly… forgiveness is a gift. A gift I’m slowly learning and understanding. And gifts? They’re not for everyone.

Forgiveness starts with me, and it’ll flow through me.

With love

Hoodie Girl❤❤