Apologize like a kid

All of us have probably heard a little kid say “I didn’t mean to hurt them” or “I didn’t know it would hurt their feelings.” But whether that kid intended to hurt someone or not we make them apologize. Why?

Is it possible that kids see a double standard in our lives when we, as adults, don’t offer the same forgiveness to those closest to us? Why are we not willingly to apologize to a spouse, sibling, or close friend when they are hurting because of something, that somehow, we caused even when it was the farthest thing from our mind? At this point it isn’t a matter of right vs. wrong; it is an issue of them feeling hurt or misunderstood. Even though it wasn’t our intent and perhaps we are “right” about the situation, we still need to apologize for the action that led to the hurt. Paul speaks of this in Philippians 2:3b where he states: "but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” This “considering others” applies to word, thought and action. We need to consider how others perceive actions or words and understand what they are feeling. I believe this demonstrates a small slice of humility.

Perhaps we are stepping off of an elevator and bump into a complete stranger. Most would politely apologize and move on even though we didn’t have any intent of bumping into them. If we would apologize to a complete stranger then shouldn’t we offer the same repentant spirit to loved ones around us--even if we didn’t intend to hurt them? I believe we can and we must.

p.s. I include "me" in the "we"...God knows I'm no good at this :-)