“Forgive yourself for not knowing earlier what only time could teach.”
Read that again.
That quote really resonates with mi.
Because it’s easy to see everything clearly when we’re looking back.
But then?
We were younger.
More naive.
Just trying to figure things out, survive, and make the best decisions we could with what we knew at the time.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is how to stop blaming my past self by what I know now.
Of course I see the warning signs NOW.
Of course I would make different choices NOW.
Of course I understand things today that I couldn’t understand then.
Of course it all makes sense NOW.
And that’s the whole point.
I didn’t know then what I didn’t know. What I know now.
Time and experience taught mi.
Heartbreak and healing taught mi.
And yes, even disappointment and deception had hidden lessons.
The person I was back then was doing the best she could with the knowledge, wisdom, and life experience she had at the time.
So, I’ve learned to be kinder, gentler with her.
To forgive her for not knowing what she couldn’t possibly have known.
To remember that she was simply gathering the lessons that would one day become the wisdom I now carry.
And maybe that’s what grace, what true forgiveness
looks like,
not wishing we had known better,
but honoring
the journey time has taught.
© michelle bryant griffin
