“O Lord, forgive as I forgive,” I pray,
and taste the lies I spin between my lips.
For who can tally up the myriad ways
that I have nurtured serpent bitterness?
O Lord, I use my friends like lifeless tools
to build an idol of my own desires,
and all Your imagebearers, I abuse,
oppressing those I should consider higher.
But You, O God, You look on us with love
and in Your sight we find ourselves made whole.
You pour out life from Your own stores above
and with that wine our cups flow over-full.
Forgive me not the way that I’ve forgiven,
but draw me, Lord, and after You I’ll run.
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I love this. Beautifully written!
Wonderful sonnet, Olivia. Kind of an easy trap to fall into today, I think. Modern life seems to have a natural tendency to turn us selfish while also treating it as a kind of virtue. Really like how you explored what that can look like (and how ridiculous it can be!).