FORGIVENESS-NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS

Matthew 6:14-15
The Amplified Bible
"For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses."
This is positioned direcly after the Lord's prayer, where Jesus directs his followers to pray to God simply and honestly, while spending time quietly with Him. These two verses are huge, especially if you are one to take this sort of thing literally!
ADMISSION.
Last night, my wife and 11 month old daughter narrowly escaped injury when a gentleman drove his trailer into the side of our van while my wife was buckling our daughter into her car seat. God's protection is the only reason my wife did not get hit. Seriously. When inspecting the damage done, we were just completely shocked. Humanly speaking, we cannot understand how he did not hit her. However, we serve a God who watches over us, protects us, and there frankly is no other explanation. One of the first things this gentleman did upon getting out of his pickup was to start yelling at my wife that she was parked in the street. No apology. No questions as to if anyone was hurt. Just blame. Just rudeness. Just lack of respect. Just lack of concern for the wellbeing of others.
I was inside calling the Sheriff when this conversation went down. Upon arrival of the Sheriff he started in again, at which point I went off. The Sheriff quickly separated us and sent us inside to our friend's house while she filled out the report. The good news is that nobody did get hurt. The bad news............
I am having a difficult time forgiving him. I have struggled with it all last night and all day today. I am ashamed to admit that I am more worked up about his attitude and actions than I have been grateful to God for protecting my wife and daughter.
It's easy to talk about forgiveness until something really strikes close to home. These times leave me thinking and pondering about how much room I still have for growth. I want vindication. I want justice. I want him to feel bad for nearly hitting my wife with his pick up and trailer. However, I am also starting to want him to know that Christ loves him. I want to forgive him. I want to be free of this prison that I've put myself in. I want to be thankful to God for protecting my family. I want to forgive and let go.