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About forgiveness--a social commentary

33 total reviews 
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
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This is a poignant write as we are often discriminatory with our forgiving and your examples here are poignant. Those who can show mercy when they have the power are truly heroes, much enjoyed, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 26-May-2021
    Thank you, Dolly...I appreciate your comments regarding showing mercy and how that helps enable us to forgive. Those who can do this truly are heroes indeed! Thank you for your kind words, and I am glad you enjoyed this piece.
    Have a beautiful afternoon,
    Jesse
Comment from Eternal Muse
Excellent
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This was a very deep philosophical essay on playing favorites and forgiveness. Forgiveness is hard but that's the only way we can release the burden that is sitting inside us, often for years.

I like your summation in the final paragraph:

"The point is, that we must be equal and fair in our impressions and opinions on every subject that comes up in our dealings with others, and ourselves, as well. If we do, we will feel happier, and more satisfied with our convictions."

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 26-May-2021
    Thanks for choosing your favorite part of my prose piece. I appreciate your analysis and perspective on this as well. I like the way you see it. Thank you for your thoughtful review and excellent rating.
    Have a good afternoon,
    Jesse
Comment from royowen
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Yes you're absolutely correct Jesse. There's a brilliant scripture in which Jesus introduces an alien command to His disciples. Matthew, 5:44 "Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you." "When i was lost in my sins Christ died for me" Romans 5:8. "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do." Luke 23:24. Yes, we are biased if we forgive those we love, but won't forgive our neighbour for something trifling, what hypocrites we are. Beautifully written Jesse, Blessings Roy

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you, Roy, for your insightful review...we are indeed hypocrites when it comes to our biases on who we forgive and who we do not. Thank you for your kind words, and I am glad that this resonated with you.
    Have a good evening,
    Jesse
reply by royowen on 27-May-2021
    Good job Jesse
Comment from Susan Larson
Excellent
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Yes, we forgive a president who said integrating schools would cause a racial jungle, yet will not forgive a 16 year old American Idol contestant for a stupid Facebook picture he posted when he was 12. Go figure!

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you, Susan, for this interesting comparison of who we are ready to forgive and who we are not. I hadn't heard either of these examples but, I am sure that both need to be considered for forgiveness. Thank you for this excellent review and rating.
    Take care,
    Jesse
Comment from Janet Foor
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You have written a thought provoking essay here Jesse and you have given some excellent examples.
However, I decided long ago that 'if I want to be forgiven (and I do) then I must forgive'. The Lord's prayer says it best, "and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." In other words 'if we want to be forgiven, we must be forgiving.' It doesn't give qualifiers or exemptions and it's not always easy.

Well done Jesse.
Blessings
Janet

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 25-May-2021
    Yes, it's not easy to forgive, but I believe it is necessary for a clear conscience and heart. Thank you so much, Janet, for your kind comments and exceptional rating!
    You are a thoughtful person, and I appreciate your opinions highly.
    Have a lovely day,
    Jesse
Comment from Janice Canerdy
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Your concise essay on forgiveness is very expressive and well-detailed. Even the best of people are, by nature, fickle--having various sets of standards that we apply as we see fit. The only way to be truly fair is to pray that the Lord will mold our thoughts, lead us daily in all circumstances.

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you, Janice, for your insightful review. I appreciate your kind comments and agree that people are fickle by nature.
    Have a great evening,
    Jesse
Comment from Sharon Davis
Excellent
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I enjoyed this thought provoking piece that raises an important issue. Balamce os definitely needed when forgiveness is being given or sought. It is a complex concept. Well done.

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 26-May-2021
    Thank you, Sharon, for your thoughtful review. I am glad you enjoyed this and, I agree, that balance is needed when doling out forgiveness. Thank you for your kind words and your excellent review and rating.
    Have a pleasant evening,
    Jesse
Comment from Sherry Asbury
Excellent
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I think it is human nature to be in synch with one side or the other, not fairly necessarily...but a choice. I personally do try to be fair and consider both sides - but some situations are beyond my capacity - George Floyd for example. This is very nicely written and laid out.

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 26-May-2021
    Thank you, Sherry, for your comments on being fair and considering both sides. I think it is a good idea for all of us to practice fairness. I appreciate your kind words very much.
    Have a good evening,
    Jesse
reply by Sherry Asbury on 26-May-2021
    Very good write, my friend!
reply by the author on 26-May-2021
    Thanks, your review was thought-provoking too!
    Jesse
Comment from justafan
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Gosh, this is not something I am not sure I should comment on because I am a person who thinks for myself. But, you are sure in your opinions and that is what this is. You point out some very real instances of victimization and forgiveness which polarize us.

I love your openness and sincerity in this piece.
Well done.

Always
Justafan of yours
Missy

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 25-May-2021
    Hello Missy. I am not sure what to say in this reply to your review, except thank you so much for the exceptional rating and your kind words as well! I appreciate your statement that you think for yourself. I would imagine that many folks believe that they think for themselves. Yet many are persuaded by their peers or their family or political parties. So who knows? You may be the original article...and if that is so, then my hat's off to you!
    Have a pleasant day,
    Jesse
Comment from 4theloveoftrees
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Your words ring very true, Jesse, and I've also thought about this often. Humans pick and choose what they are forgiving or outraged about, and the outrage is always taken to the extreme. I think about the current vax situation. It's freedom of choice to kill an unborn child because for a woman it's our body, but when it comes to being vaccinated or not, we shouldn't have a choice--in that case "our body" doesn't seem to matter. Same as you, that's just one example of many. I can't stand people's agendas and folks choosing what is or isn't acceptable according to those agendas. I'm an open person who believes in freedom, acceptance, and forgiveness, mostly because in the end we are all human.

 Comment Written 25-May-2021


reply by the author on 25-May-2021
    Hi Patricia. You sound like this resonated with you, and that you have strong opinions on a number of subjects. Abortion rights and whether to be forced to vaccinate are two of them you speak of.
    Everybody has an agenda all their own and it is difficult to unite on any of these causes. I am glad you are an open person and can see that it isn't easy for folks to choose who to forgive and who not to forgive. Thank you for this thoughtful review and excellent rating.
    Take care and have a great day,
    Jesse