Perpetual Forgiveness & The Lord’s Goodness

When I think of restoring, I think of mending, making fresh, and reinventing.

I think of hope — and hope, to me, is the anchor that keeps my heart steady when I’m believing God to restore a relationship.

Hope says, “It’s not over.”

Hope whispers, “Try again.”

Hope reminds me that God’s hand is still working, even when hearts are hurting.

Because hope is what gives me faith for the future — in any friendship, family bond, or relationship that’s been stretched thin.

And I’ve learned that forever forgiveness is the pathway forward to reconciliation.

Forgiveness isn’t about making them right.

It’s about making you free.

It took me years to understand that forgiveness isn’t agreement.

It isn’t acceptance of what happened.

It isn’t pretending the pain didn’t matter.

It’s surrendering the right to replay the offense.

It’s releasing the expectation that they will fix what they broke.

It’s choosing wholeness over bitterness.

Forgiveness isn’t exemption, it’s obedience.

It’s not about letting someone off the hook — it’s about letting your heart off the leash of bitterness.

None of us who call ourselves followers of Christ are exempt from loving as He loves, or forgiving as He forgives. If anything, perpetual forgiveness is a reflection of the Father’s goodness toward both me and you.

“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

It gives me peace knowing that my Father knows what I need when I need it — and forever forgiveness is one of those needs.

It’s not a flippant thought or a light concept; it’s a spiritual necessity.

So who am I to call it quits on myself or on someone else?

Who am I to say something is over when there’s still hope of redemption?

This is a testament of discovering what honor really looks like — up close and personal — with those I love and those I’m still learning to love.

I’ve made the decision to submit my friends, my family, and even my foes to His goodness, and to pray that I would remain forever hopeful.

Because sometimes honoring others doesn’t look like reconciliation the way we imagined it.

Sometimes, it looks like:

• Apologizing for the part you’ve played, even when they don’t.

• Reestablishing a new kind of friendship with someone you’ve known for years.

• Releasing expectations while still choosing love.

Navigating Friendship in Every Season

One of the hardest things for me — especially as a woman in my forties — has been navigating friendships well in every season.

People change.

Life shifts.

Priorities evolve.

And yet, through all of it, God keeps teaching me that forgiveness is the constant.

It’s not just the key to healing; it’s the rhythm of restoration.

It’s the act of keeping your heart soft when the world says to harden it.

A Prayer for Restoration

Lord, thank You for being the ultimate Restorer. Teach me to forgive freely and fully, the way You forgive me. Help me to honor the people You’ve placed in my life — past and present — and to remain hopeful for restoration in every relationship. Give me grace to apologize, courage to rebuild, and wisdom to know when to release. Amen.

A Moment to Reflect

Who is God asking you to forgive again — not to excuse them, but to free your heart?

Take a moment to ask the Lord for strength to walk in forever forgiveness — the kind that honors Him and invites healing back into your relationships.

For more on friendship listen to The Whole Loaf Podcast