Over the past few weeks, we’ve been journeying through the Prayer of St. Francis, one line at a time.
This week, we arrive at these words:
“Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.”
If I’m honest, this may be the line I’ve found most difficult so far.
Not because I don’t believe in forgiveness.
But because forgiveness is often much easier to talk about than it is to live.
Recently, during the Life in the Spirit Seminar, one of the invitations was to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As I sat in confession, I found myself naming things I had carried for a long time.
There was something incredibly freeing about speaking them aloud, receiving God’s mercy, and walking away knowing that His forgiveness wasn’t something I had earned – it was something He freely gave.
I left feeling lighter.
Not because my past had changed… But because my heart had.
Then, as this week unfolded, I found myself reflecting on another kind of forgiveness.
The forgiveness we extend to others.
Today marks two years since someone who was once a significant part of my life passed away.
As I reflected on that journey, I realized there were still some hurts I had quietly packed away.
Not because I wanted to hold onto them.
But because sometimes pain settles into the corners of our hearts without us even realizing it.
And I sensed God gently asking me a question:
“You’ve received My pardon… are you ready to offer yours?”
That question shook me…
I’ve come to realize that forgiveness isn’t saying, “What happened didn’t matter.”
It isn’t pretending we weren’t hurt.
It isn’t rewriting history.
Forgiveness is choosing not to let yesterday continue to shape today.
It’s releasing our grip on the pain and placing it into God’s hands.
Not because the other person deserves it…
But because our hearts deserve freedom.
In Ephesians 4:31–32:
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
What strikes me is that God’s forgiveness is never meant to stop with us.
It flows through us.
The mercy we’ve received becomes the mercy we’re called to give.
Is there someone you’ve forgiven in your mind… but not yet released in your heart?
Is there a hurt you’ve become so accustomed to carrying that it feels normal?
What might God be inviting you to lay down today?
Forgiveness doesn’t erase the past.
But it frees us to walk into the future without dragging it behind us.
Today, my prayer is simple:
Lord, where there is injury, let me sow pardon.
Thank You for the mercy You have shown me.
Teach me to extend that same mercy to others.
Help me release what I cannot change…
so that my heart has room for the peace only You can give.
Amen.
Until next Saturday!
Love, Talisha ❤️
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve been journeying through the Prayer of St. Francis, one line at a time. This week, we arrive at these words: “Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.” If I’m honest, this may be the line I’ve found most difficult so far. Not because I don’t believe in forgiveness. […]
2 Responses
All i can say is that I needed to hear this this morning. Talisha thank you again for sharing.
God is good!!!