The Five Most Important Words

As a father and grandfather, and yes, even a pastor, I have learned from experience that these five words are the most important words you can say to anyone:  I’m sorry, and I love you.   My inclination as a parent was that I would look belittled in front of my children if I told them I’m sorry.  But the exact opposite happened.  I actually became “bigger” to them in their eyes than if I had never said these words.

Pride comes before the fall and God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.  I discovered that my children gave me more grace too when I confessed my faults and apologized in front on them.  I was amazed at the results.  My stupid human pride insisted that I should never let them see me blink…but I was so wrong and I admitted it to them.

Today I only have one left in the nest but they more readily admit their mistakes to me now and they tend to apologize much easier to others.  Instead of seeing it as a weakness, they see it as a strength.  I want my children and now my grandchildren to feel safe to approach me and know that “pa pa” is not perfect.  Ironically, the more I tell them I love them and that I am sorry when I blow it, the more they do the same.  These five little words are small, but dynamite comes in small packages.  If you can remember the value of these words, you’ll never regret it: I’m sorry and I love you.

[content-ad]

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. – Matthew 6:12 (NIV)