Forgiveness Snobbery

I was recalling a recent get together with a friend. I was thinking to myself-I wonder why this friend even enjoys my company? I am honest with her and sometimes I offend her.  Then it hit me: she has to forgive me. I know something about forgiveness. I have studied it. I have prayed over it. I have practiced it-a lot. I am so busy thinking about giving it that I forgot something very important: I need it. I have a relative who is always gracious to me no matter the circumstance. I was thinking-how can they always be gracious? And it hits me: they have to forgive ME.I am a forgiveness snob! I can see how I have to keep forgiving people, but then I realize, I constantly need it, too. Why is this a new concept? Do I think I am perfect? Uh, no..definitely not. I have a tendency to say exactly what is on my mind. I am pretty transparent and people usually know where they stand with me. I see my flaws very clearly. I just never saw myself as needing to be forgiven by people I interact with. I understand where I am coming from, and, obviously, I agree with my words and actions...and yet, I can see that being honest can sometimes hurt people, and being myself may cause someone to feel less than good. And that is where I can see the forgiveness coming from. These people who truly love me....family members...friends....acquaintances....they overlook these flaws and choose to continue to be in my life for one very simple reason: they forgive me. They may have had to forgive me many, many times, and in my arrogance, I was only thinking that I have to forgive. I realize I have to be forgiven and I am grateful to the kind, gracious souls who forgive me. May I one day be worthy enough (though I doubt this, since I am human) that I no longer need to be forgiven so much. Don't be a forgiveness snob! Is there someone you need to forgive? Do you need to look at yourself introspectively and see if you need someone's forgiveness? Thanks to God that grace allows forgiveness of all of us-and makes this world a better and kinder place to dwell.