by Kelly Pelton (written 26 Nov 2022)

Before forgiveness, you must know the full extent of harm done,
to not deny or minimize the injuries or pain,
to make a clean ideological break from the abusive ones,
the religious culture denying its own injustice for worldly gain.

Before forgiveness, you'll resign from analyzing reasons
why Christian people buy into the lies and spread false teaching,
keeping women limited, committing spiritual treason,
fervent men defending gender bias in their preaching.

Before forgiveness, God will end your chronic second-guessing,
and then you'll say, "They're doing wrong; they know not what they do."
You'll hold acceptance in one hand with deep desire for blessing,
the other holding righteous vision, urging something new.