You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.

***Lewis B. Smedes***

I've struggled with this concept lately. That art of forgiveness. Hurt is real. It causes outrage, frustration, distrust, confusion, fear...the negative ramifications seem almost endless. But forgiveness, though it's often hard... Forgiveness is a process, a challenge, and also a command... Forgiveness is freedom. Forgiveness allows you to step down off your high horse (or pedestal for the non-horse fans)...the one that tells you that you don't deserve to be hurt. The one that says you don't deserve to be wronged. Or treated unfairly. Or wounded. The one that says you're without flaw...

Forgiveness allows you to remember that you've probably done some hurting yourself. That someone (let's be real, many someones) have had to forgive you. That maybe at times you haven't even deserved a second chance, but you've been granted one...at some point. That someone has looked at you and said "you're worth more than the damage you've done. Or the selfish decisions you've made." Forgiveness means you're still valuable. You're more valuable than your one bad moment... 
It allows two people to understand something incredible. Forgiveness allows those involved to understand grace. Grace. Grace. Did I say, Grace?

Many things in life are beautiful, forgiveness is one of those many things.