With a little time, and a little more insight, we begin to see both ourselves and our enemies in humbler profiles. We are not really as innocent as we felt when we were first hurt. And we do not usually have a gigantic monster to forgive; we have a weak, needy, and somewhat stupid human being. When you see your enemy and yourself in the weakness and silliness of the humanity you share, you will make the miracle of forgiving a little easier.-- Lewis B. Smedes. I’ve recently had the opportunity to practice seeking forgiveness for myself and forgiving others. I’ve learned that it sucks no matter which side of the forgiving you’re on. I don’t like asking for forgiveness. I don’t like the feeling of being humbled and for the person I’ve wronged to have so much power over me. I don’t like forgiving. I don’t like letting go of the wrong and the hurt and basically declaring a truce and promising no retaliation. I’ve learned also that sometimes it is hardest to forgive myself. I forget sometimes that I’m human and flawed. I think I shouldn’t mess up as bad as I do. I forget to laugh at my humanness. I think that is the real key to forgiving others. If you can forgive yourself, and not take yourself too seriously, you can see that we are all the same in our humanness and all equally needing forgiveness. I’ve had unrealistic expectations of myself at times, and therefore unrealistic expectations of others. God forgive me. Help me to forgive others. Help me to forgive myself.

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