Unlike Jen, I had a good apology experience today.
I've railed before about empty apologies and related matters, I loathe insincerity-coated sorry pills.
That said, I was convicted recently that I needed to apologize to a coworker/friend.
My concern was not that the apology wouldn't be accepted, but that it would be dismissed, because the matter for which I needed to apologize was likely inconsequential to the person, but quite significant to me.
So anyway, I went and made my apology and the response was straight from heaven, paraphrased as:
"I absolutely forgive you. I hadn't even thought about it, but if the Lord has told you that you needed to make this right, then I absolutely do forgive you and appreciate you doing what you were supposed to."
In this, my friend blessed me with forgiveness, and affirmed me that steps of faith, even small ones, are always the surest ones to take.
And for that, I am thankful.
October 28, 2004 5:25 PMAh, that is a good apology experience. Maybe when you ask the forgiveness of a fellow believer it's going to be better received anyway. I don't know.
Posted by: jen at October 29, 2004 10:17 AMI wish that were always the case! I've had multiple times where I've apologized to other Christians, only to be met with unforgiveness, rudeness, or resent-disguised-as-apathy.
I've learned that I'm only responsible for being obedient to request forgiveness...if the other person wants to continue to hold himself hostage by not forgiving, so be it.
Posted by: Bryan at October 29, 2004 11:33 AM