Saying I'm Sorry.

I won't soon underestimate the words "I'm sorry". They're potent and powerful. They change things.

Yesterday I had the privilege of apologizing to a childhood friend for some long-time hurt. I thought if I apologized she would win, she would be right, she would have the upper hand. But bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. There were wounds between us, some spoken, some unspoken, that were only festering with time, festering with years and weeping with harsh words spoken carelessly. We played the part of childhood friends well, I would say. Seeing each other at holidays and hastening through coffee dates while pressing words from sardonic, toothy smiles.

And it was all my fault. How do these things happen? How can one little heart be so immensely wicked? How can someone studying for ministry have such malicious intentions? How can lies become truth so quickly and willingly? How did she stick with me? Why didn't she write me off long ago? How can we still be the Body even after so much destruction and vindictive maligning?

Because…

I won't soon underestimate the words "You're forgiven". They're potent and powerful. They change things.