The Great Offender

Ever been truly offended by someone you love and hold dear? It hurts doesn't it? Feels like someone stabbed you in the heart with the knife and they were able to get a really good shot or hit, because they were so close to you. I recently was offended by a good friend of mine and because of it are no longer close friends, but I had to learn how to let go of the offense and forgive her no matter how much she hurt me. Because I hurt Christ far worse when He had to hang on the cross for my sin and no matter what I do, He forgives me and calls me to forgive. This is a poem I wrote about the occasion after hearing a great woman from my school speak on forgiving others while being offended by them. 

The Great Offender

Childlike dreams and fantasies

Oh how we would giggle and talk late into the night

Of possible future realities.

We shared many hopes and dreams

In such close companionship.

We made such a great team, 

Or so I thought.

We dressed up, we laughed.

We fought, we cried.

And we always made up.

Ours was a friendship I thought would always last.

Wedding bells and sea shells,

All a part of our late night chats.

You'd be my maid of honor,

I'd be your bridesmaid- who could want more than that? 

But over time apart we drifted,

And I felt like I never really knew you.

Once with you my spirits were so lifted,

And now they were cast down and hurt.

The news you got married shocked me,

Yes it did and how difficult I found it to be

Excited for you when I hadn't even been invited.

What about those dreams, the chats we had,

The promises we made?

I guess it all meant nothing to you. 

I thought we were so close, 

But now my eyes are opened.

And I'm wounded, in despair, betrayed.

What kind of friend does this?

And I let my hurt seep into my skin.

I was angry, confused, blinded by my own sin.

Unforgivable you were in my eyes,

Though God had called me to forgive. 

How could I forgive someone who offended me so?

But then God's grace began to pour into my life

And He whispered to me to " let it go child".

Then my eyes were truly opened for I could see

That close friends we may never again be,

But I needed to drop this offense and forgive.

For then I could free myself too

and would be able to truly live. 

So I say goodbye to the offense, the hatred, and the scars.

And at the same time say good bye to

The friends I wanted us to be.

Because right now that's what God has revealed to me.