My wife, Ann, was raised in a home where quick and sincere apologies were practiced. I was raised in a home where an apology was very rare and didn’t appear to be heartfelt. I’ve found that a home with rare and insincere apologies festers and can give root to rebellion, pride, unforgiveness, disharmony, bitterness, frustration, anger, fear, insecurity, etc.
Jesus has taught me a lot from Ann’s quick and sincere apologies. Although I can’t quite put it into words, a sincere apology communicates so much more good than simply being sorry for a wrong.
While living in Oregon, we had a pastor (Gordon) share a profound message with us. He told us, “Children don’t need perfect parents. They simply need parents who are willing to yield to God, who will repent, say they’re sorry, and ask forgiveness when they’ve made a mistake or when they’ve been wrong.
I can honestly tell you that Ann’s influence and Pastor Gordon’s timely, wise advice has helped to build a strong foundation and bond of trust, respect, love, grace and security in our marriage and entire family…
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
Isaiah 30:15
“yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.”
2 Corinthians 7:9
“But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”
Acts 3:18-19
A quick, sincere apology brings “times of refreshment.” What a heavenly blessing.