Post by Betty on Jul 3, 2005 3:50:58 GMT -5
Reflection #1 on 'The Fight Song' by Sanctus Real
I'm sorry for what I said about you
Will you accept my apology
I am sorry
Why is it so hard to apologize? I've mentioned before that some of the best
advice I ever got was, "Never ruin a good apology with an excuse." To me that
means the word "but" should never follow the word "sorry." We have all done it,
"I'm sorry, but...."
I think adding the excuse, for whatever we did or did not do, eases the pain of
having to say "I'm sorry." But it also lessens its validity and leaves room for
us to do it again.
I have a friend who will do just about anything before he will apologize. He
will give excuses, and if that does not work he will get mad. Finally, he will
try to do something nice for you, but he will hardly ever say, "I'm sorry." He
can't admit he makes mistakes. He can't admit when he is wrong.
In "The Fight Song," Sanctus Real sings that they are sorry for things they
said. They sing about the fact that most arguments are over things that really
don't matter. They sing both sides of the fight as though they were the one
hurting and the one being hurt. It is a great song. But the bottom line of the
whole song is the haunting line, "Will you accept my apology?"
That is the key. Whether the apology comes with a "but" or not, will you accept
it?
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my
brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell
you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times'" (Matthew 18:21-22, NIV).
Jesus was very specific about forgiveness. He said it was something we were to
follow His lead in, that we are to forgive always, over and over if necessary.
According to Christ, apologies are one gift you must always accept. If
necessary, use the forgiveness you have received from Jesus to pay the debts of
the other person. Forgive people out of the forgiveness Christ gave you. Learn
to say "I'm sorry" as well as "You're forgiven." My prayer is that this is the
only fight song you ever sing.
- Suzy C.
