Forgiveness

Now i'm not going to lie, this topic has NEVER been the easiest thing for me to do *prayer insert here*. I'm the type of person that does hold grudges and once a person really hurts me will easily just cut them out of my life. But even with all my imperfections I do sometimes find it in my deepest heart of hearts to forgive if  its the right apology(  I do have a heart). I've had my share of  horrible best friends and trusting people that honestly just didn't have my best interest. With  age though I feel that I've learned one, to pick my battles and that everything happens for a reason. Maybe the person that's in your life right now isn't meant to be in your life 2 years from now. It doesn't have to be a bad thing, its just how life works. Well it has come to my attention that a friend of mine has been hurt by someone she thought was a friend. She was physically hurt and her life was put in danger but it was with the help of  a person bad-mouthing the attacker in the ear and also the consumption of alcohol that escalated the situation. For me I immediately was put off by this person and told her I will not be cool with someone like that and I refuse  to be fake and pretend to chat with someone who is capable of that and put my friends' life in danger. As mad as I am and  bad as it sounds I quote "will not be friends with someone that puts their hands on me" I feel like taking a person like that back you just lose respect for yourself. My friend then told me something that I thought made her look weak , but maybe actually showed her maturity. She told me that she understands my point but she has talked to the person and has sort of forgiven her through tears and apologies and wants me as her friend to be cool with her. Initially I thought to myself ..excuse my language... but what a lil bitch but now I realize maybe she's teaching me a lesson. I mean how am I supposed to talk about being a christian and expect people to accept and forgive my faults if I cant theirs. I mean i'm not perfect. Who knows if she's right or if i'm right but this situation has given me an alternate perspective at forgiveness. Am I completely changed, of course not but has the seed been planted, yes! who knows maybe in the future i'll get better at this forgiveness thing in the meantime i'll just be proud that at least someone was mature enough to forgive even if it wasn't me. because of the forgiveness my friend has shown I SMILE.

Luke 17:3-4 ESV Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, (4) and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”