Good Morning,
I am ready to drink my second cup of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee and really start my day.
Yesterday we looked at making an apology and it's importance within relationships. Today we will look at accepting an apology and forgiving.
Once an apology is made and it seems to be contrite, heartfelt, and sincere, there is a decision to be made. Are you going to accept the apology or not? Once an apology is accepted it almost seems as if forgiveness should be included. That is a completely different decision. The offending party should never assume that forgiveness is automatically attached to the acceptance of an apology.
Included in the apology exchange is the next point to rebuilding a relationship. The offending party should ask to be forgiven. "Please can you forgive me?" Would be a good statement to use.
Another bridge to cross. The offended party has to decide whether or not to forgive. I have carried a grudge or two, but it just seemed that carrying my battle axe became tiring and always being ready to go back to war was hard on the rest of my relationships.
Jesus tells us to forgive one another. Colossians 3:13 ESV Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
Apologies, forgiving, and anger control just seems to be tiring and the sooner we are sorry, or willing to accept an apology the easier life can be all around.
Food for thought!
Marty
Apologies are good and appreciated. Forgive to be forgiven is what makes it real. Thank you Marty. I meant to tell you, I ran into Jessica. She is doing well.
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