Freedom of Forgiveness

Let’s be honest with ourselves. We carry regrets — choices we didn’t make, time we didn’t spend, moments we mishandled. It’s easy to dwell on those failures, turning them over in our minds like Jonah brooding on his hill. We judge ourselves harshly, convinced that feeling bad somehow proves we’re good. But what if that’s not true? What if forgiveness isn’t something we earn or achieve, but something already given — something we can accept each day like our daily bread? We don’t need to stay trapped in guilt to be responsible for our actions. We can acknowledge our mistakes, learn from them, and still choose to receive the mercy that’s already available to us. Forgiveness is a practice, not a prize.

May we walk forward in the freedom of forgiveness,
embracing mercy as our daily companion.

(inspired by Nadia Bolz-Weber, Pastrix)