Sometimes I struggle to forgive
someone who hurts me.
It can be hard
but at least I can make a good attempt
at forgiveness.

But when someone hurts or rejects
my husband
or my children
it’s a whole different ball game.
I feel their pain acutely,
a deep sense of resentment
which smoulders,
sometimes for decades.
Part of me wants to nurse my anger,
to say, “I’ll never forgive him/her!”

Today I’m struggling to come to terms
with someone hurting one of my children.
I’m aware
of the Christian call to forgive.
But I feel
that I can’t even begin to forgive
the person who hurt my child.
I feel like a total hypocrite,
which troubles me.

I meet Mammy and Daddy for lunch
and while we’re chatting
about something totally different,
Mammy presents the perfect solution
in a nutshell –
“I pray for people I don’t like.”

As I drive home
I reckon that I feel ready
to pray for the person
who hurt my child.
It’s only a first step
but I feel convinced that, in time,
forgiveness will follow.

Now, I feel at peace.

© Claire Murray, 20th May 2017