A seed planted

 

A seed planted

 

We can ask for mercy and receive it.  Yet as the years go by, we may need to learn what was forgiven, how deep was our wrong, how pervasive the pain caused, and in this mercy, healing continues.  It is a seed planted; further fruit will ripen as the heart deepens in its ability to love itself and others.  There are deep roots for our actions, many of them can actually be evil, or experienced by others who are on the receiving end as such.  Just as we may experience as evil, what others do to us.