WHEN I THINK OF someone telling you to, “Say sorry.”  I most often will think of Tommy…

Once upon a time when our children were really young, we were all at a church function. (This was years ago.) It was a beautiful warm and sunny day and the guys were playing ball. I was an observer and a chatter. Never been big on softball.

My three children were close by where I could keep an eye on all three. Suddenly, my first daughter came running to me as Tommy was chasing her down like the guys trying to make it to home base. I can’t remember if he actually bit my little girl, or tried to. He did make contact though; because his mom came over to him (where I am others were.) I think (again, it’s been so very long ago, I am not sure) I saw him running after my eldest daughter with his mouth wide, wide open…

What happened next is one of most indelible moments of my life! In fact, I’d have to say that goes for my husband who, of course, heard all about it. And if I were to remind my first daughter, she too would easily reflect back and remember…

Selah.

Tommy was about four years old at that time. He was tiny too; and he was not the best-behaved child I’ve seen. Don’t you know he and children like him are the kind that just have to be vigorously watched in their potential bad behavior? With this situation he obviously did not know he was being watched! Soon, Tommy knew he would be called out!
Thankfully, his mamma handled this little guy correctly. She and I professed Christianity; we both knew there are certain ways to deal with an unruly boy.

Tommy, my friends, needed that calling out!

I’ll never forget: (memorable, remember?) his mamma found out what Tommy did and scolded him. This little boy, with his snarky little attitude, had to be scolded yet again. Not surprising to any of us, knowing little Tommy as we did…  Attempting to make certain he did indeed apologize, she demanded him to mean it: and that’s exactly what she said, “Mean it!” 

Tommy’s mamma was astute, realizing Tommy did not feel badly about what he had done! So as she once again scolded him and this time told him to, “Mean it!” that was exactly what Tommy retorted back: “Mean it!” without meaning it…

With Tommy’s behavior, and his attitude to boot, we weren’t surprised. However, though he was totally out of line and his apology was not real, (truly in fact, it was paltry) all of the involved were totally unable to stop from bursting out with giggles and loud laugher!

That wasn’t good for Tommy…

The problem was he was just too cute in his little, young body! And his bad attitude seemed far older than his years.

Selah.

This is one encounter, as I said, that we remember over and over when situations arise which need apologies; sincere apologies like Tommy did need to offer. Yes, in my family apologies and repentance are demanded; but when it’s a silly mistake (not a sin) we’ll tell someone to “Say sorry…”  and then we’ll add, ”Mean it!”

And then, we’ll giggle! Every time!

And of course, we think of Tommy to this day!

 

IT IS A GREAT LESSON.

So when you, your family member, or someone who claims to love you and yet chooses to lash out, don’t let them slide by. God doesn’t!

 

 

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FOR THIS JOY STORY:

 

 

1 John 4:7-8
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

 

Luke 17:3-4
 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.  Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

 

1 Peter 3:8-12
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

 

Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

 

AND:
Don’t forget to apologize to God! He’s the One who has never hurt you!

 

Isaiah 30:15
 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

 

Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

 

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

 

Revelation 9:20-21
The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.  Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

 

Revelation 16:8-11
The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony  and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.