apology
A sister approached me this afternoon about some recent writings in my public blog. Apparently she's an anonymous reader -- I'm not going to "out" her here, but I do want to say welcome!
Anyway, in a very loving manner, she called me out on some things I'd written thoughtlessly. And before she finished her sentences, I knew she was right. I knew she was right. Embarrassing. It probably wasn't too comfortable for her, but how thankful I am to have had that conversation and the kindness of someone pulling me back from danger. That is love for your neighbor, ladies and gentlemen.
When I got home from work, I went out on a 3-mile run (yeah, getting back in shape!). Talked to God about all sorts of things. Then came home and read for a while. Existentially-speaking, yeah, how can you deny this book as the Word of God?! It is authoritative and powerful and speaks right to me. Wow. Anyway, pretty much the whole book of 1 Peter popped out at me, but the following verses (quoted from Psalm 34) were incredibly and immediately applicable:
"Whoever desires to love life and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
-- 1 Peter 3:10-11
I do desire to love life. I do desire to see good days. It's as simple as that.
Because I erred publicly, I must apologize publicly. Who knows who my careless words have affected. I was wrong to speak so carelessly about certain subjects in the past. Please forgive me. It's not just because I'm embarrassed now, but because I need to turn away from evil and do good. As a permanent resolution.
And like my anonymous friend did, I ask you to also pull me back when I wander from kindness and truth in my words. Will you please be my neighbor?
Anyway, in a very loving manner, she called me out on some things I'd written thoughtlessly. And before she finished her sentences, I knew she was right. I knew she was right. Embarrassing. It probably wasn't too comfortable for her, but how thankful I am to have had that conversation and the kindness of someone pulling me back from danger. That is love for your neighbor, ladies and gentlemen.
When I got home from work, I went out on a 3-mile run (yeah, getting back in shape!). Talked to God about all sorts of things. Then came home and read for a while. Existentially-speaking, yeah, how can you deny this book as the Word of God?! It is authoritative and powerful and speaks right to me. Wow. Anyway, pretty much the whole book of 1 Peter popped out at me, but the following verses (quoted from Psalm 34) were incredibly and immediately applicable:
"Whoever desires to love life and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
-- 1 Peter 3:10-11
I do desire to love life. I do desire to see good days. It's as simple as that.
Because I erred publicly, I must apologize publicly. Who knows who my careless words have affected. I was wrong to speak so carelessly about certain subjects in the past. Please forgive me. It's not just because I'm embarrassed now, but because I need to turn away from evil and do good. As a permanent resolution.
And like my anonymous friend did, I ask you to also pull me back when I wander from kindness and truth in my words. Will you please be my neighbor?