for*give: emily's definition

for* : Used to indicate the object, aim, or purpose of an action or activity; Used to indicate the recipient or beneficiary of an action; On behalf of; Used to indicate amount, extent, or duration

give* : to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow; to hand to someone; to grant (permission, opportunity, etc.) to someone: Give me a chance.

For many reasons, this month particularly, I have been reflecting on the word "forgive" as I venture to understand what it completely entails. I believe that our culture does not provide many quality examples of situations forgiven, especially because offenses (in their true colors) are rarely acknowledged or corrected by individual or, more often, collective offenders. Realistically, true forgiveness requires more than a mere dismissal of an unpleasing historical fact; people often (myself included) mention/claim that they are "over it" when in actuality the issue is deposited into a filing cabinet in the heart to be sourced (by potential offenses) as one in a series of red flags, collecting interest on resentment and unresolved distrust. I know this, because I have mistakenly done it.

In my attempts to comprehend true healing power from the Atonement and the principle of forgiveness, I've come up empty-handed many times this year. The main offenders: misunderstandings, assumptions, character flaws in myself and others, and of course, anger for the impact of the consequences of my own and others poor choices. I have heard that when the Lord feels you are prepared to grow, he will send adversity and trials in simultaneous packages to be dealt with all at once. In my case, apparently, the lesson to learn was this: how to forgive correctly.

I feel compelled to share my lessons, for the benefit of others who may be stuck on the same path. This is what I know: forgiveness is the same thing as giveness, only it is a deeper, and more loving gift. It has to be. It is a gift that is given freely and consciously, according to the depth of need and is always accompanied by sincerity. One who truly forgives is one who endures negativity and hardship without bitterness or anger because he/she is focused on the eternal potential of the other child of God, and doesn't want their weaknesses to define them forever. Anyway, these are my thoughts. I hope you all enjoyed my soap-box :)