Have you ever had a day when your best foot forward ends up being the foot in your mouth? A couple of weeks ago, a woman walked into the business where I work. She had that harried, slightly distracted look of someone with a long to-do list. She was not a client, but asked me if the owner of the agency was in. He had just left for lunch. Frustrated, the woman unleashed some choice words, threw her hands in the air, and proceeded to rant and rave insults at my boss, whom she had never even met. I was flabbergasted! Before I knew how to respond, she decided to take her business elsewhere and left, still cursing and shaking her head.
We all have bad days. As Christians, we are called to love one another so that the world will know we are Christ’s disciples (John 13:35), yet there are many days I know I’ve responded poorly to a situation. I blush to think of how I have treated people at times. But what do we do after we’ve said something we shouldn’t have? Maybe we lost our temper like this woman. Perhaps we made a snide remark or insensitive comment. Maybe we didn’t SAY anything at all; maybe it was our silence that spoke volumes. In all honesty, isn’t it easier to avoid someone we’ve offended than to make amends?
A few days after her first visit, the same woman returned to our office, and to my utter surprise, this time she was carrying a dozen roses. She handed them to me and offered a most sincere apology. She had let her stressful circumstances get the better of her, but wanted to be sure she “made things right.” It knocked the socks off of everyone in the office! We didn’t even know her name. She certainly didn’t have to come back to face us. Yet she did. What humility! What strength of character!
This woman’s actions made a huge impression on me. She felt the need to apologize for her behavior, and instead of ignoring that inner urge, she swallowed her pride and did it! Too often as believers, we ask God’s forgiveness and think that’s enough. Yet in reality, we are commanded to “make things right.” That means the person we’ve offended deserves a heartfelt apology too. It doesn’t have to include a dozen roses. A small bouquet of genuine humility and sincere regret is really all that’s needed.
Can you think of anyone who is due an apology from you?
Jesus said, “So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.” (Matt. 5:23-4 Good News Translation) God’s Word tells us to, “be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth.” (1 Peter 3:8-12 The Message)
written by Rebecca Grinder and Barbara Grinder
LOVE This!
ReplyDeleteThis is so good! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow... what a powerful story!
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