Today I give myself permission to love and be loved, and I praise God with all my heart and with all my soul.
… Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, “I say not unto thee, until seven times:
but, until seventy times seven.”
— Matthew 18:21-2
I forgive all and am forgiven of all and by all.
— The Science of Mind, page 261
I’m Sorry
A lady driving down the highway was about to make a right turn when her baby, who was seated next to her, demanded attention. She turned just for a second, and at that moment another car appeared, forcing the woman to slam on her brakes to avoid a crash. Her heart was beating wildly as the driver of the other car pounded his horn in anger, while his passengers resentfully shook their fists at her. Aware of her negligence, the lady flushed in embarrassment as she slowly moved along.
She had many choices, among which were to continue driving slowly to avoid a confrontation, or to pull up beside the angry people. She selected the latter course of action. As she approached the other car, the people glared at her. She opened her window and said sincerely, “I’m sorry!” All the angry faces transformed into smiles and both cars departed with happy passengers.
Part of the Alcoholics Anonymous program is to list all the persons you think you have harmed, become willing to make amends to them, and then to make those amends wherever that is possible and safe. So when you do something you regret, instead of brooding or feeling guilty about it, just say, “I’m sorry,” and mean it … that’s the catch! In order to receive the benefits, you have to be sincere.
Today if I feel a pang of guilt about a past action,
I forgive myself and say, “I’m sorry,”
either directly to the person whom I have injured, or to God.
Then I can say with great joy, I know I am forgiven until seventy times seven!
