Piloting Faith: Can you forgive?

A Word for the Day...
Forgive us our trespasses JUST AS we forgive those who trespass against us.
Since millions of Americans pray that prayer every Sunday in churches of every denomination, it would be fair to wonder what the impact of this prayer has been on Christians. Are we more forgiving? Do we know more about forgiveness?
How about you? How long have you been praying this prayer? How many times do you think you have prayed it in your lifetime? Most importantly, what difference has it made?
It was C.S. Lewis, in one of his more candid moments, who dared to observe:
Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.
Our current politics have tested my capacity to forgive. I find it nearly impossible to forgive the politicians who refuse to act on responsible gun legislation. I struggle to forgive people's refusal to own their racism and do something about it (myself included). I struggle to forgive men who still use their social power to oppress women, even when they know better. I struggle to forgive people who lack compassion for the poor, the uninsured, the under-educated, the undocumented, the unhoused, and the mentally ill.
Just Jesus didn't suggest that we learn to forgive. He commanded it. He knew that forgiveness is the only pathway to true freedom. Critically, forgiveness doesn't mean allowing harm to come or continue. It simply means making the distinction between judging the action and judging the person.
As a nation, we need to work on this. I suppose that includes me.
- Rev. Cameron Trimble, author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation Take Flight

Prayer for the Week
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
- Mother Teresa