Love means...saying I'm Sorry
Remember way back when Love Story was popular? The tag line from the movie was “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Sigh. If only that were the case. I have found that the opposite of that statement is true. True love demands that we say we’re sorry. It’s not easy.
I’ve been running my mouth lately and don’t have many excuses. Like at our Couples Bible Study, when I told Dave he was 100% wrong about something. Of course, those were fighting words. Dave said the Holy Spirit intercedes between us and the Father. I said it was Jesus Christ, our intercessor. My 100% wrong line didn’t go over very well but to give Dave credit, he didn’t argue back.
The next day I was reading a devotional about, you guessed it, the Holy Spirit interceding for us in prayer. It was like the Lord just wanted me to face in black & white that I was wrong, wrong, wrong. (Yes, JC does intercede, but so does the HS….). The devotion said in part, “The Holy Spirit is our prayer link to the Father and where He leads, we must follow.”
I was next led (okay, forced) to apologize to Dave. And I was reminded that the word repent simply means to turn away. I’m trying to turn away. I’m trying to be good.
I am short-tempered these days and am unsure why. Could it be heat, hormones, five kids with varying summer schedules? Family illness, dear ones in pain, and too much cancer everywhere I look? Yes, that could be it. And could it also be that I am the only one who replaces the toilet paper roll, wipes dust bunnies out of corners, or unloads the dishwasher? Yes, that could be it, too.
But love means putting up with all that, and much, much more. So, to those I’ve offended in the refuge of our home, I’m sorry. I’ll try to tame my tongue, or swallow it if necessary, rather than indulge the temptation to spew venom. I love you all.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men,
who have been made in God's likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:9-10
4 comments:
I am also short tempered and unsure why. I'm just sure I'm not myself lately...
Thanks for being there for me constantly. I love you.
I, too, find it annoying to come home to a messy house that my 12 and 17 year old have destroyed while I am at work. Ok, mainly my 12 year old b/c my 17 year old it never home. My kids and I have very different opinions on messy! They think walking on your clean laundry is no big deal and will argue that folding laundry is a waste of time. :-)
Anyway, I say "I'm sorry" almost daily. I've always thought it was important to tell my kids "sorry" if I am wrong in hope that it would make it easier for them to say "sorry" when they are wrong. I found it to be easier to tell my kids and friends "sorry" than to tell my husband that I was wrong. Weird, I know. LIFE IS SO DAILY and can be overwhelming at times. Think of the dishwasher,laundry and dust bunnies as job security! I'd love to see you soon, Martie!
Laura L.
I really enjoy your website. So often I find myself saying " yeah, I know exactly what she means!!" You really inspire me. I am so glad my husband told me about martiebyrd.com. (BTW, my husband Joe is Dave's cousin!!)
P.S. Just finished "The Shack" on your recommendation. WOW!!!
I have good news and bad news. Saying "you're 100% wrong" actually isn't so bad. When you go over the top like that, at least your husband gets a chance to smile and say "Well, I'll try to be only 50% wrong next time, dear" and save face. The bad news is that a less dramatic comment is harder for you to notice and harder for him to defend against.
I learned this lesson at high cost, both as a giver and a receiver.
I saw Steve Byrd at a wedding today (and many other Byrds as well), and told him he is supposed to put all those promised brilliant ideas up on the blogsite soon. He looked sheepish.
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