In March of 2004, I was a member of a choir offering back-up vocals at a performance by Marsha Stevens. In the 1960s, Marsha wrote the popular contemporary hymn (or in honor of Marsha, I should say "hyrm") "For Those Tears I Died."
Most of us who later, in the 1970s, followed her pioneering path into the "Jesus Music Movement" sang that song, and it was published in many languages, and included in any Evangelical songbook worth its salt. It was a highlight of my musical career to sing back up on such an iconic song for such an iconic writer.
Years later, when Marsha came out as a lesbian, many churches ripped the song out their songbooks and mailed them back to Marsha.
Knowing this story and some of the other heartbreaking moments of her life, I found tremendous power in her words on forgiveness:
"Forgiveness is giving up my right to hurt someone who hurt me."
Oprah Winfrey also speaks about forgiveness with the authority of one who has been hurt deeply in her lifetime. She remarked that she was quoting a guest when she said,
"Forgiveness is giving up my expectation that the past should somehow be different."
Of course, my father St. Francis asks God for the opportunity to sow pardon where there is injury.
Food for thought.
Blessings,
David
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