When I was a child, I used to hear my grandmother say, “I forgive you, but I am not going to forget.” I never thought too much of it because she was usually talking about the same people. They were always saying they were sorry for something. Most of the time in the middle of doing it again.

When I became an adult, I never gave it too much thought. Other than trying to think carefully so I did not have to say I was sorry. I saw it as futile if you expected the person to forget it, and less sincere if you were constantly saying. It did not dawn on me that I was putting undue restraints on myself. I became afraid to try or say anything that I could not be sure of. You are going to hurt someone no matter how hard you try. Some time you might not even know it.

I ran across a book entitled, Forgive Healing The Hurts We Don’t Deserve Forget, by Lewis B Smedes. I find myself going back to it time and time again when I need the power to forgive. Mainly chapter 6. Forgiving the Invisible People. “Some people invade our lives for a tragic hour or a sad lifetime, leave us with hurting memories, and then move away where we cannot see them. Or when they hide their faces behind the masks of corporations. People become invisible when they die before we can forgive them.”     

Our Creator has lessons for us that go beyond our earthly authors. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. Bear with each other and forgive one another “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother and sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Not seven times, but seventy-seven time. Matt 18:21-22