I don’t think apologizing is a concept that comes naturally to any of us. You realize that especially quickly when you’re trying to teach your children about taking responsibility for their actions. In our home, this includes not only apologizing to the person you’ve wronged, but also to God. Just recently I was working through this for the millionth time with my three year-old. I asked him, “Danny, who do you need to apologize to?” He answered, “I sorry, Mommy.” I said, “That’s right. And who else?” He looked around the room, “I sorry, Doggie? I sorry, Baby?” I told him, “No, not the dog or your brother this time” and then I helpfully pointed up trying to indicate he needed to apologize to God. Danny nodded his head and said with understanding, “Oh. I sorry, clouds.”
We’ve obviously still got a ways to go to help Danny learn that when we sin it doesn’t just hurt those around us, but also effects our relationship with God. It can take a lot of practice for us to develop a habit of confession and accountability that includes our brothers and sisters and also acknowledges our need for a savior. We have to learn to be humble enough to admit our failings and reach out for a loving God who doesn’t hold them against us. I am so thankful God sees me in my weakest moments and is holding out his arms, waiting to forgive when I ask.