Traveling with Repentance and Forgiveness

In the “Family Proclamation” forgiveness follows repentance in the list of successful marriage and family principles.  We all prefer a smooth marriage and family rail journey, so when we hurt others it is essential to make amends.   When we repent and make amends we want others to forgive us.  We prefer that the forgiveness happens fast so that the incident can be forgotten and we can be “done” with our repentance. 

Those who repent and those who forgive must exercise patience and forbearance with each other.  Often those who have been wronged can be resistant to forgiveness, especially when they have been deeply hurt.  Just as it takes more time for a deep cut with stitches to heal than a paper cut, a person who has been deeply wounded will need more time to heal and forgive. 

As we journey, we find that we are never “done” with repentance or forgiveness.  We will continue to make mistakes.  Our fellow travelers will do the same.  Therefore, we will all continue to need repentance and forgiveness.  Repentance and forgiveness will need to travel with us for our entire lifetime!