Tuesday, August 12, 2008

I Am Sorry: The Power of Apology

"I am sorry that I ran my mouth last night," I sincerely confessed to the cute twenty-something drummer in the praise band. "How unfair of me to get so animated and unrelenting in my rant of what was right and wrong. Please forgive me. I know I should have been quiet. If I had spoken calmly and with some openness, maybe it would have been alright. The news story you mentioned had just been discussed by someone who had been similarly hurt. You didn't hear that conversation and I treated you as though you had. But I was wrong. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?" I lamented very humbly.

This precious petite young lady tried to minimize my mouth-running-with-no-control rant. "Please accept or reject my apology, but please don't dilute my confession. I have been in prayer and I know I was wrong," I honestly told her.

All 90 pounds of her grabbed me and we hugged like only sisters can hug. Then I shared with her how musically "challenged" I am. So to pray for the band I always pray for the drummers. "So bank on me praying for you to 'get' the beat and keep the rest of the band harmoniously together with the sound that God will give you, " I told her. She lit up with a great smile and throughout the service I would see her radiating that smile as she was a great drummer all night.

Yesterday I shared with you a moment in my life I will treasure forever. God moved in the hearts of 250 women inmates; and all of us in ministry. It was life giving and life changing. I dare to call it revival and there was a sound that broke through the atmosphere when these women prisoners sang without any help from any of us "Holy Holy Holy."

Anyone God uses to join with Him in true revival will be "clean" and they must stay "clean." All during Saturday night when I would awaken I would relive my conversation in that bus with the drummer calmly stating the news report and I would hear my over zealous self.

These 10 words were necessary for me to speak from my heart in order to be clean enough to be a vital part of God's move Sunday night:

I was wrong. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?"





5 comments:

Tracy said...

Praising God for your example. I've been met with a similar response when trying to apologize. It's beautiful what you said to her. So grateful that the two of you experienced such a sweet reconciliation.

You're so right, if we want to remain "clean" and usable in a vital way to the Lord, we must constantly maintain an attitude of humility before others. What a beautiful example.

Blessed,
Tracy

Red Letter Believers said...

Kay

Isnt there such power in apology? Even when you are wronged, it is sheer freedom to release that person!

David
www.redletterbelievers.blogspot.com

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Kudos to you for being BIG enough to apologize when you knew you were wrong! I hate it when someone apologizes to me and then turns around and says something like, "But you know I'm only human like everyone else!"........that just seems to negate all that they've apologized for! ha

Keep letting us in on your 'blessings' and your 'blisterings'. :)

God bless you Friend!

Marilyn in Mississippi

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Kay.
I truly see our Fathers reflection in you and within your heart. I know he is pleased when his daughters can come to a place humbleness. And it doesbring us to a place of true revival..
Praise his his holy name!!

Hugz Lorie

Dorothy Champagne said...

You ARE an example of one called of God. Even in our weakness, others should see Jesus in us - and this is true of you. Thank you.

© 2008 Kay Martin

Thrive In Christ

Who I Am In Christ by Neil Anderson

For several months we will center on this book to pursue Thriving in our Christian journey.

Neil challenges us with: "Do you know who you are in God's eyes? We are no longer products of our past. We are primarily products of Christ's work on the cross. Who we are determines what we do.

You are not who you are in Christ because of the things you have done, you are in Christ because of what He has done. He died and rose again so that you and I could live in the FREEDOM of His love."

That's just the introduction. More to follow.