Forgiveness

I am sorry.

I regret the words

That I should not

Have said.

And even though

I meant them,

I’m ashamed

Of what they meant.

The words coming out my mouth

Show that my heart

Is full of death.

You have

Given me your

Heart unlocked

And I have used the keys

As knives between

My fingers,

My weapon

of expertise.

The damage I can do!

The wake of destruction

My words leave!

Bullets spew

From my mouth

But I don’t see it

Till you bleed.

My anger made me blind,

My selfishness and pride,

Kept me from seeing

The pain I caused

Until I saw in hindsight.

I know I cannot make it right.

Will you forgive me?

Will you give me what

I don’t deserve?

Will you forgive me

Even while you hurt?

Will you believe these

Repeated words?

“Yes.”

Stripped of pretense and facade,

I am overwhelmed and awed,

Your grace is a small taste

Of the mercy of our God.

And my love for you

Is multiplied through

This undeserved response.