Suzanne Woods Fisher | The Power of Apology

One of my favorite movies is a British romantic comedy called About Time. Here’s the plot: When the males in a certain family reach the age of twenty- one, they’re given the special ability to travel through time and re-set the clock. They get a free pass, a re-do.

Doesn’t that sound awesome? To erase the effect of a sharp
word, a joke that fell flat, or avoid a misunderstanding. If I had that special time-travel ability,
I’d be revising and editing my life a dozen times a day.

Have you ever wished you could turn back the clock and have a second chance at something? Luke Schrock in Mending Fences sure did. He’s back in Stoney Ridge after a long stint in rehab, coming face to face with all the poor choices he’d made before he left. Bishop David Stoltzfus wants Luke to make a list of all those he harmed so he can make amends. They’re step 8 and 9 of the Twelve Steps Program, he told Luke, as he handed him a paper and pen.

Reluctantly, Luke wrote down four names and put down the
pen. “There. Done.”

David pointed to the paper. “Keep going, Luke,” he said.

Four pages later, Luke had completed his list of wrongdoings. And now it was time to start mending fences. As he made his way down the list, he learned a few things about himself. If the bishop hadn’t made him ask, Luke never would’ve known the consequences of his behavior. Frankly, he would’ve preferred not knowing. But some consequences, unlike in the movie “About Time,” can’t be avoided.

Another thing Luke discovered in his mending fences
journey—a sincere, heartfelt apology was powerful.

Offering a genuine apology, without excuses on its heels, is
one of the hardest things we have to do. Yet it’s one of the most significant things we can do
to keep important relationships whole and healthy. To quote cartoonist Lynn Johnston,
“An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just
about anything.”

That was another important discovery Luke made. Most
relationships could be mended, and even grow stronger.

Think what Luke would have missed, if he’d been able to use the quick fix method in the About Time movie. All that personal growth and maturity and humility that will serve him so well in Book 2 and Book 3 of the Deacon’s Family series! Then think what you and I might miss when we neglect to swallow our pride and offer a sincere apology to someone we’ve hurt. Now that’s a lesson we all need to learn from Luke Schrock.