Peace by piece

the long version

I stood looking at him in a mixture of shock, fear, and embarrassment. What in God's name was he doing? I understood that he was lying on his potential death bed in the hospital. But I couldn't believe he had the nerve to bring up the past after all these years - especially in front of my mother (without being specific). I thought he was obviously out of his mind due to the morphine he was on. Oh, I see. He felt the need to ask for my forgiveness, confess his sins to God, and pray that he still had a chance to get into Heaven. In my mind, according to the Lord's Prayer, if I don't forgive those who have sinned against me, God may not forgive me mine. And I would never even consider gambling with my eternity or God! OK - I told him I forgave him (for his sake or mine?). But trust me, I will never forget or pardon his actions... ever.