The Loss of a Friendship
by Kristine Stanton © 2023"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name . . .
forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
(Matthew 6: 9, 12, NIV)
Did you ever lose a friendship
when you chose to walk away?
Were there some disputed reasons
why this friendship went astray?
Come, reflect upon the details
that helped you make the choice . . .
Was there yelling—was there screaming?
What was your tone of voice?
To eradicate this friendship
and cause this great divide,
did you come to blame each other -
were reasons due to pride?
Were there two sides to the story
that ended this friendship?
Did you each realize the reasons
and each claim ownership?
Can this friendship be recovered -
quite possibly renewed?
Can each heart become forgiven
with understanding views?
If you ask the Lord, He'll tell you
to forgive each other's debts -
the hurtful things that have been done
that may have caused regrets.
"For if you forgive other people
when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their sins,
your Father will not forgive your sins."
(Matthew 6: 14-15, NIV)
This poem won second place for the
July 2023 poetry contest
