Expect The Unexpected (H-Town)

Forgiveness

Leah

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Matthew 6:14.

"What is forgiveness," Pastor Harold asked the congregation, "and what does it truly mean?"

He paused, letting the question settle.

"Forgiveness is the act of forgiving—or being forgiven. But it's more than just a word. It's pardon. Mercy. Grace. And I know there are some of y'all in here today with heavy hearts. I can feel it."

We all glanced at one another, because it felt personal—like God was speaking straight through him.

My heart felt heavy too.

I'd been stuck between Leonce and G.I. for weeks now. Leonce had been nothing but good to me—consistent, kind, present. And yet, in the back of my mind, G.I. still lingered.

I looked over at him. He was already looking at me.

We waved. Smiled softly.

Then I leaned back and focused on the sermon.

"Some of us are holding onto things we need to let go of," Pastor Harold continued. "It could be forgiveness. Financial stress. Relationship problems."

He wiped his brow and raised his voice just a little.

"But I'm here to tell you on this blessed Sunday—give it to God! You can't control everything in your life. God says give it to Him, and He'll take care of it!"

"Amen!" I called out before I could stop myself.

A few heads turned, but I didn't care.

"Stop trying to force things to work," Pastor Harold said. "If it ain't meant to be, then it just ain't. Stop trying to make people feel guilty. Stop pushing what's not in God's will. Stop hurting yourself over something that was never yours to begin with!"

"Can I get an amen?!"

"Amen!" echoed through the church.

That's when it clicked.

I couldn't keep holding onto G.I. when he had already told me—without saying it—that he didn't want me the same way. I couldn't keep giving myself false hope just to end up hurt.

I felt lighter just realizing that.

"Forgive those who hurt you," Pastor Harold concluded. "And maybe—just maybe—you need to forgive yourself. Forgiveness and prayer will take you far. No more false hopes."

The service ended not long after.

Outside the church, everyone gathered like usual.

"Pastor was really preaching today," Kaedi said.

"He sure was," Dino replied proudly. "He actually asked me to preach next Sunday."

"For real?" Stacey laughed. "I can't wait to hear what you gonna preach about, preacher man."

"We all know he got it in him," I said, patting Dino's back.

"You know what topic yet?" Shazam asked.

"Maybe love," Dino said. "Or waiting for the right time."

"I like waiting for the right time," G.I. added.

"Yeah," I said softly. "Me too."

One by one, people headed to their cars.

As G.I. and I walked together, he spoke quietly.

"I felt like Pastor was talking about all of us today."

I smiled. "I thought the same thing. He made me realize a lot."

"Like what?"

"That I can't keep giving myself false hope," I said honestly. "I gotta learn to forgive and let go. If it's meant to be, it'll happen."

He nodded. "Maybe it will."

He hugged me before getting into his car.

As I watched him drive off, my heart felt... calm.

Not because everything was solved.

But because I finally understood what needed to be released.