September 3
Scripture: 1 John 4:18
Source author: Julie Durham
September 13
Saying “I’m Sorry” Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. —2 Corinthians 13:11
Eagerly I unwrapped the birthday gift from my parents to find a musical figurine—my first. I wound the porcelain base and watched the figure revolve. It was a casting of a young couple sitting on the grass, heavy with the colors of the decade— avocado and brown. On the front of the figurine were printed the words Love means never having to say you’re sorry, and it played the beautiful theme from Love Story. I’d never seen the movie, but I was certainly familiar with that phrase. It adorned bumper stickers, plaques, posters, everything. Since those days, I’ve grown up, gotten married, and had children. And I’ve learned that the mantra of the ’60s, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” may sound romantic, but it just isn’t true. I’ve learned that when I do something wrong and don’t say I’m sorry, hard feelings build, relationships are hindered, and my soul becomes a bit more stubborn and hardened. Because I love others, I apologize when I’ve committed a faux pas or sin. Because I love others, I admit it when I’ve been
wrong and ask for forgiveness.
For some of us, love means often having to say we’re sorry! — Julie Durham —