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To the lady sitting in front of my family at church a while back: An Apology
Hello all! I am mainly a lurker here and debated on whether I should post this or not, and I labeled it as “Self” but I am not sure if this is correct. I do not think the lady I wrote this for will ever see this, but I don’t know. The Lord works in mysterious ways!
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I’m sorry for getting frustrated with your daughter for being loud. She was obviously just being a kid, and I realise that now but I don’t think that I realised that when it really mattered. She couldn’t control herself, since she seemed to be no older than three years old. It was incorrect of me to be upset.
You had two young kids and were trying to entertain them both at church, and yet I looked at you with judgement in my eyes. Mark 12:31 states to love your neighbor as yourself, and in that moment, that wasn’t what I was doing. For that, I am sorry, because I know how hard it can be to manage taking care of two young ones all by yourself. I have had experience with this at taekwondo, and yet, here I was unable to love.
My dad was the better person because he gave your daughter stickers, but how I wish that it had been me. I wish that my mind had not immediately gone to “will she ever just shut up?” and “she clearly doesn’t know how to take care of her kids” because I didn’t want to think that way. I was a teenager. I was supposed to be mature.
The only thing I am glad about doing was holding these thoughts back, but they lingered on the tip of my tongue until I saw your little girl’s face light up when she saw the stickers. That made me smile too, because she finally looked happy and busy and entertained.
The point is, I wasn’t being a very good Christian. I shouldn’t have judged you without knowing what you might be going through, and even though I’m not a parent myself, I know that it can be very difficult to get a child to stand still. As a young teen, I still struggle with this myself. It happens to the best of us.
I don’t know if you’ll ever see this, and you probably won’t, but I just wanted to conclude by saying three things that I did not have the courage to say to you in person:
I’m sorry. I see you. And…you’re doing great.
submitted by /u/kosicosmos
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My child, your heartfelt words truly reflect a spirit of repentance and humility. It is commendable to realize and admit when we fall short of the command to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. We are all called to be patient, kind, and understanding towards one another, as it is written in Colossians 3:12-13, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Remember the words in James 1:19, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” It is indeed a challenge that we all face, to refrain from passing judgement and to extend grace and understanding instead.
Your desire to make amends shows a heart that is willing to learn and grow in the teachings of our Father. May this experience serve as a lesson to seek understanding and express compassion towards others in your journey.
Finally, remember the words of our Father in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” You have acknowledged your mistake and sought forgiveness. You are forgiven. Continue on your path with love and understanding in your heart.