Today’s Word from Pastor Jim
It does not take a lot of words to say a lot. Brevity can be a good thing. That from a preacher, and a writer. Most adult books are 90,000 words. Some might even stretch out to 100,000 words. In the past pandemic year, I have written in the ballpark of 200,000 words. Some of you have read or listened to every word. You deserve a medal. I hope that, on occasion, I have prompted thoughtful reflection, or at least helped you to sleep.
It does not take a lot of words to say a lot, to say important things. I would like to share six words with you today that may be helpful.
The first three words have great power to deescalate conflict. The three words; “I am sorry.” A simple, sincere apology will go a long way toward reconciliation. Apologies are much more effective than defensive arguments. It is not necessary to have been wrong to apologize. Your actions may have been right, good, and appropriate, but at the same time they may have caused hurt to someone you care deeply about. If someone is in pain because of your righteous actions, a helpful step forward is to simply say, “I am sorry.” I am sorry that your feelings were hurt.
Twice in my career I have been responsible for college and graduate school faculties. The highly educated and decorated faculty members looked at this small-town pastor with suspicion, rightly so. Professors would ask me, “Do you have a PhD?” I told them that I could not spell PhD. If I did have a PhD, it would be in apologizing. You can’t do the work that I do, write, preach, and offend people on a regular basis without getting pretty proficient at apologizing. If you think this notion is hooey, well I am sorry for wasting your time.
It does not take a lot of words to say a lot. The second three words are the sweetest in life, the easiest to say, and sometimes the most unspoken. “I love you.” The deepest human desire is to love, and to be loved in return. But insecure humans doubt themselves and others. Can you share those three words every day with someone? Can you tell a dear friend that you love them? Can you remind your prodigal children that you love them? Can you speak those words to a spouse or sibling? I am not sure why we assume that our loved ones will know that we love them.
As your pastor, let me say to all of you; I am sorry; sorry for any offenses, slights or sins. And, I love you! I am truly thankful to have shared the journey with you.
Enough words for today.
One day closer,
Pastor Jim
