Six Words That Bring Harmony

"Fix it!" The sharpness of Mike's voice startled Marilyn.

Mike had grazed her side view mirror while backing out of the garage. It snapped shut with a "thud."

With a controlled voice she responded, "Please?" No reply. It was 5:30 am. Mike and Marilyn were leaving to catch an early flight to Dallas.

"Why am I going with him if he is going to treat me like this?" Marilyn pouted.
They drove on in silence. She relived the incident in her mind, stewing with self-pity and anger. Half way to the airport, she sensed the Holy Spirit whisper, "Apologize."

"What? Why should I? He's the one who should be apologizing." 

"You were late," came the response.

"But it was only five minutes and that's a lot better than it used to be. It's no big deal; he's just too uptight."

Marilyn argued her point again but felt worse. Her voice broke the silence. "I'm sorry for being late. I know you wanted to leave earlier."

Mike responded a few seconds later. "It's O.K. I'm sorry I yelled at you about the mirror."

She doesn't recall her response; her mind swirled with amazement and joy at how quickly this sour situation had turned sweet.

"Thank You, Lord," she said silently. "I didn't expect an apology, but thank You."

Harmony in a marriage often rests on our willingness to make things right with six little words: "I was wrong. Please forgive me." 

Thank You, Father, that forgiveness is something I can do fully through You.

"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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3: 12-14 NIV).