I Forgive You

What is your response when someone says "I'm sorry" to you? Two common ones are, "that's OK" or "don't worry about it". Well, if I were told either of those things when I asked someone to forgive me, I would be unsettled. I mean, isn't the reason you're apologizing to receive forgiveness? These responses feel like the apology is heard but not accepted. Really, if it was "OK" or if you didn't need to worry about it, why would you be apologizing in the first place? Obviously something was said or done that needs forgiving. It is so important for us to forgive others so that we can be forgiven by our Father. Which brings me to what MY response to "I'm sorry" is. In my encounters with anyone who apologizes to me for anything, great or small, my response is "I forgive you". It cuts out any awkwardness that may make you feel like you are not really forgiven. When my husband and I have a dispute over something, we both have agreed that, when asked forgiveness, the other must say "I forgive you" to know it's over and all is well again. Even as I'm teaching my 3 year old daughter to say "I'm sorry, mommy" or "I'm sorry, daddy", we always respond with "I forgive you". Could you imagine how confused she would get if I made her apologize for something and then told her "it's OK"? So I challenge you, when someone says "I'm sorry", respond with "I forgive you". If you have a hard time saying it, consider your feelings when someone does not say it to you! Matthew 6: 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: