Apologies. May they be blessings.

A few weeks ago, a very dear friend was chastising me for doing so much when I was quite sick with a respiratory tract infection. Her words deeply seared my soul, but I also knew everything she was saying was out of love. She was treating me like I was her daughter. Although no one likes being scolded as one would rebuke a child, it is also so endearing that my friend felt so much love for me.

About a week later, my friend apologized to me. She realized she had treated me as if I was her daughter. Although the apology was unnecessary, it helped our friendship bloom. We both had a clear understanding of the events which unfolded, and neither one of us had bad feelings toward one another. What a blessing my friend’s apology has been.

Recently, I had a situation arise in which I misunderstood someone’s words. Oh the heartache I felt when I realized my error. I prayed that God would resolve the situation. “O LORD, make my words disappear. Please smooth over this situation.” I felt a tremendous amount of guilt. I knew needed to make amends. Scripture tells us over and over again to settle things with our neighbor. We must act. God will not make amends for us. Now I needed to obey God and His commandments. But would my apology just make everything worse? I prayed to a God, “Please let this apology be received with kind intentions and love. Please let this apology make the situation all better. Oh what a fool I have been! LORD, please forgive me; please make this all work for good.”

I sent off the apology and hoped for the best. It was very freeing writing the apology. But now it was time to wait. Time to wait to see if my foolishness had caused any permanent harm. Time to wait to see if my apology was understood and accepted. Time to see how this will all unfold. Although I could have easily not sent an apology, I know I will never be right with God if I did not act. It is better to do things God’s ways and suffer possible consequences now than to do things man’s ways and suffer consequences in the world to come. Praying my apology (and all my future apologies to come) will be a blessing.