apologize – Amy Linnea

I’m Sorry

Published on January 30, 2021June 13, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13

What do those words mean to you?

An apology?

Heartfelt from you to the offended?

Or a necessary evil?

Something to get your loved one off your back?

Apologies mean the world.

They write the wrongs.

Cover the faults.

Restore relationships.

Why is it so hard sometimes to apologize?

Pride?

What is true Christ-like apology?

Acknowledging your part with no strings attached.

Simply saying you are sorry for what you have done.

End of story.

No excuses.

Is that what you do?

Or do you apologize on the wings of accusing the other person along the way?

True apology only acknowledges your part.

You and you alone.

Fess up and relent.

Accept responsibility for what you and you alone have done.

End of story.

When you offer a sincere apology, void of blame and accusation, all will be well.

Relationships will be smoothed and offenses forgiven.

But only if you take responsibility for your own actions.

Don’t apologize by blaming the other person.

Simply say you’re sorry for what you did.

Honestly and sincere.

Look at the other person and say those words.

Only then will God redeem your situation.

Forgiveness is quick and sweet.

Humble yourself and ask.

It’s the only way.

Photos by Brett Jordan & Sandra Grünewald on Unsplash

Trapped Animal

Published on July 25, 2020June 13, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. Proverbs 25:26

Ever feel backed into a corner?

Kinda like a trapped animal?

How would you react?

Defensively?

I would.

The flesh wants to be protected.

While maturity is always the goal, sometimes the flesh wins.

Differing points of view can complicate matters.

But in the end, what really matters?

Your response.

Your continued response.

When you feel misunderstood, what should you do?

Own your own actions.

Apologize when you give into your flesh.

But then you have a choice.

Especially if you’re alone in the conversation.

Still not feeling heard.

Do you hold on, digging your heals into the ground?

Or do you move on, beginning anew?

I choose life.

I choose beginning anew.

Even if my active mind can justify feelings, connecting the dots.

I choose to move on.

While that might sound like an odd choice, I ask myself this question:

What would God want me to do?

What does God want me to do?

Would He want me to keep carrying burdens alone?

Nope.

He wants it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Picture that other person as Jesus.

Treat them as you would Him.

Because all humans deserve nothing less.

We don’t know what goes on in everyone’s minds.

As my students read To Kill a Mockingbird, I’m reminded to “walk around in other people’s shoes.”

We must look at things from their view.

Especially important when one doesn’t see eye to eye, or doesn’t feel heard.

Talk to God, asking Him to fill you with His compassion.

His love.

His understanding.

And move on.

Paste that smile on your face and stand tall.

Once your heart is clean, there’s nothing to worry about.

Because Jesus is all that matters.

Photos by Holger Link, Richard Brutyo, Ben Hershey, sydney Rae, & Jonathan Fink on Unsplash

Bigger Person

Published on January 25, 2020June 11, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

Ugh.

I don’t like that.

Being the bigger person.

Don’t like being the one to apologize first.

To begin the amends.

To swallow my pride.

To open the floodgates of forgiveness.

Rather have the other person go first.

Makes me feel better.

You?

When my honest selfishness invokes horror upon reading what I wrote, I stop.

I think about what God would want me to do.

1 Peter 3:9 reminds us not to “repay evil with evil or insult with insult.”

That’s pretty clear.

Doesn’t mention being first, but fortunately the verse goes on.

Verse 9 continues, ” On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

I for one want a blessing.

You?

The other side of the coin is this: who do I want to please?

God or Satan?

I’m guessing Satan is pretty darn pleased when I stick my feet in the mud, determining to withhold forgiveness unless asked and pleaded with from the other guilty party.

Know God is pleased when I make the first move.

While it’s fun to feed my flesh, it, in turn, pleases Satan.

Yuck.

Double yuck.