It was fifty years ago that Brenda Lee filled our airways with “I’m Sorry.” If you want to hear it again it’s on YouTube.com. This past year has been a significant year for “I’m Sorrys.” We have heard it from politicians, late-night comedians, athletes and I wish we had heard it from people who get other people to blow themselves to pieces. “I’m sorry” are good words if they are from a truly repentant heart and not just from an “I got caught” heart.
“I’m sorry” can be used as a weapon. I once had someone come to me and apologize for saying terrible things about me. Since I did not know what she had said, she had to tell me. I’m sorry was a great opportunity for her to say it to my face and what was I to do? She was apologizing! I had to stand there and take it and then say, “Oh, I forgive you.” I had not known about it and most likely never would have known about it. She got me. Sometimes the best “I’m sorrys” are just for God to hear unless you know for certain the other person knows what you said.
Then there are the people we hurt and we were not aware. We did it in naiveté. I’m sure it happens often so I want to say, “I’m sorry” to anyone who I hurt intentionally or unintentionally. “I’m sorry” are words God loves to hear. He waits for them and instantly pounces upon the opportunity to put our name in the Lamb’s Book of Life mentioned in Revelation. He forgives liars, thieves, murderers, adulterers, slanderers and any other thing we can think of. God is an all purpose forgiver. How grand! Just say, “I’m sorry.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 1, 2010
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org