Christian Living

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Dear Nuggetz reader,

It's really been a long while since I came your way with my Nuggetz due to some reasons.I have

been with a book writing project which took a whole lot of time for the manuscript to be

completed.I shall be telling you more the book once the plans for its publication have been

concluded.And in line with this "spirit of contrition" I wish to share with you a thought on how

to say I am sorry needed when handling offenses and conflicts.Happy Reading and as usual,your

objective comments are critiques are highly solicited to help me be a better writer.
Your Nuggetzman,
Felix Obi


I REALLY AM SORRY
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As an undergrdaute in Kano City ,I spent most of my weekends and semester holidays with my uncle

and his family.He was one person that extolled excellence and abhors mediocrity with some

passion.As the most grown up guy in the house,it was my duty to fix some stuff like changing a

deflated tire and other "male chores".Bearing in mind that he's a " no nonsense" person,I usually

would do the assignments with utmost care,but due the seething anxiety to get things right or

factors beyond my control ,I once in a while will blow it or mess things up.Boy,how I dreaded the

attendant sanctions for " failing" in an assignment!

But I discovered one antidote to the sanctions by default.Each time I blew things up,I'd from the

buttom of my heart say, " I AM SO SORRY SIR!" without having to justify my mistakes or proffer

excuses.And each time I used that strategy,it seemed to work wonders.But when my offense is

grievious, am " I'm sorry" would lose its potency and crdibility so I went a step further: How?
I would go to my aunt( his wife),talk things over with her and will oblige her to be my advocate

before my uncle....she gladly did and sometimes,I 'd add an apology letter for him by her favour.
For sure,I escaped the sanctions.Good strategy you'd sure admit,but it had a big price called

remorse and contrition with a resolution not to repeat the blunder again!

Over the years,I have learnt how powerful " I am sorry" is especially when it comes from a truly repentant heart.It's even what helps us reconnect back to God spiritually by our showing contrition for our sins and turning back resolutely from a life of sin.Yet,so many folks would not "condescend" to offer an apology to someone they've offended.Sometimes poeple will step on your toe along a busy walk way or a crowded street and just waltz off not caring a hoot about how you feel.Guess how irked and angry you'd be if someone who offended you looked at you disdainfully,hissed and matched on unperturbed.Will you not feel like grabbing that one's collar?

But if the person turned back and said," PLEASE ,I'M SO SORRY" ,would you have the scruples to hit back at the person? How powerful a sincere apology can be! My uncle would tell me that each time I showed how sorry I was,he would become so powerless that he wouldn't know what to do to me.It's not just being apologetic but really being sorry indeed for a harm done,or offense committed.

Aside of saying am sorry,there are other words and sentences which when used can create an atmosphere of peace in the midst of conflict or offenses.The contrite and courteous use of 'PLEASE FORGIVE ME' can even open the door into the heart of someone we've offended.It shows how much we value and appreciate the person we've wronged.But why would so many friends not see eye to eye after having a little misunderstanding or some sort of conflicts? For the records,Jesus Christ " assured" us that offenses must surely come when we relate with others,however close we're to each other.Even couples who love each other face conflicts too!

One major reason for a whole lot of bickerings,strifes,and quarrel in the world is self pride and do I say,selfishness.But when we care so much about how others feel,it would be easy for us to say ," I am sorry" to someone we've offended,or have failed to fulfil our committments or promises to others.When I say that I love my neighbour,I should back it up with acts that give credibility to that assertion.And if we've offended a friend,a family member or colleague, we should make hay to reach out to them asap.Let's swallow the pride and take that very step that will resurrect that broken down relationship or lost friendship we devoted somuch to build over the years.And if it's God you've been offending,run back to him and say, 'Lord,I am truly sorry!'.

Stay ever blessed,
Nuggetzman
Felix Obi
Lagos Nigeria.

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