* Maybe it is openly rejected, "Oh, yeah. Right. Sure, you're sorry." Dripping with sarcasm.
* Maybe it is accepted on the face of things, but the person still holds a grudge and punishes you every chance they get.
* Maybe you get no response. They heard you. They just won't acknowledge you said anything at all.
So now what? If you're like most human beings, now you get irritated or even angry. You offered a sincere apology. How dare they not accept it? How immature of them! How un-Christlike! And you walk away feeling superior. You did your part. They were too childish to do theirs.
But have you ever asked yourself why you are apologizing? I think our reasons for apologizing change all the time. And understanding why you are apologizing gives great insight into the way you react afterward.
Sometimes we apologize because we feel genuinely sorry. Sometimes it's an attempt to get out of trouble. Sometimes it's because it's what we think we are supposed to do, even when we don't feel sorry. Sometimes our mom or wife or friend pushes us into apologizing. Sometimes the person we've offended demands an apology and we offer it out of fear. Sometimes we're too tired for the fight and just apologize hoping to end it. There are more reasons we apologize than I can list.
When I say I'm sorry I should mean it. It shouldn't be about getting out of trouble or doing what's right. It should be because I saw the hurt I caused, realized I was at fault (either partially or entirely), and want to make amends.
And this is why I don't make my kids apologize. When they were little I taught them to say, "I'm sorry." Even when they didn't feel it. And once they were old enough to say, "But I'm not sorry," the conversation changed. We discussed other people's feelings, how our actions affect others, and repentance. Their apologies began to hold greater meaning. They are 14-21 now. When they hurt each other they are often not sorry. In many circumstances I could still bully them into apologizing. But I won't. I will chastise and teach. And if they are unwilling to try to make up for being hurtful (usually because they aren't ready yet), they won't be allowed to stay in the room with the rest of us. And maybe I will apologize to the person who was hurt because my child misbehaved. I won't claim the offender is sorry. I will say I am sorry for their behavior. Because I am. Sometimes they later apologize; sometimes they don't. But when they do, they mean it.
And sometimes, even after all this, even with a sincere apology, forgiveness doesn't come. The hurt individual stays angry. And I am okay with that.
I think a sincere apology stands on its own, with or without forgiveness. If I offer it with my whole heart, I am more concerned about healing a wrong I have committed than being forgiven. Sometimes it takes a person a while to heal from a hurt. If I am getting angry or bitter with them because they aren't accepting my apology as quickly as I think they should, how sincerely concerned was I about hurting them? If I love them and am truly sorry I hurt them, then I have to step back and allow them the time they need to heal instead of demanding that they get over is so that I feel better.
Too often we don't allow people time to process their feelings as deeply as they need to. We rush things. We want to feel better now! You need to forgive me so I can feel better!
Forgiveness is important and I accept an apology as quickly as I can. Sometimes that's immediately. Sometimes it takes time for me to heal. A few minutes. A few days. Sometimes longer. I appreciate the offer of an apology, but I won't fake healing. I won't pretend I'm over it when I'm not. Very few things offend me, but sometimes I am hurt. Often by a repeat offender. I won't cheapen myself by quickly saying it's all okay when it's not. My feelings and pain matter. If I don't value them, who will?
Doesn't everyone deserve that same freedom?
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My post was inspired by this post, by Beth Ann at It's Just Life. Thanks, Beth, for making me think.