I used to confuse forgiveness with acceptance, but I’ve come to understand differently. To forgive someone doesn’t negate the offensive behavior occurred, or didn’t hurt. Nor does it give invitation for the behavior to repeat.

To forgive, simply acknowledges that I too am human, and not immune to acting in a manner that is unbecoming. Whereas acceptance [of offensive behavior], is by choice of remaining in someone’s life, who shows no remorse, and repeatedly behaves with malice.