I just put them on my prayer list…
How do you respond to people who won't forgive you? This one woman, the victim of an abusive marriage, had a novel solution.
SpringSnow wrote:
"I had no idea how deeply a 16-year-long abusive marriage had affected my life and relationships, even long after I left it. My unaddressed PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) exacerbated years after the fact, and I realized how many people I'd hurt for years with my defensiveness and fear. I called former co-workers, bosses, acquaintances, and relatives, apologizing for what I'd put them through and opening up about my illness. Nearly all of them had an 'aha' moment of understanding when I spoke of the PTSD. Most were understanding and forgiving. A couple of people were unable to let go of their anger toward me, and I decided to just put them on my prayer list. But, by far the most poignant encounter was with a former co-worker who'd just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. While she heartily agreed I'd been insufferable, it was humbling to have reached out to her in time and heal some of the hurt I'd caused."
Has someone ever rejected your attempt to make amends? How did that make you feel? How did you choose to respond?
SpringSnow wrote:
"I had no idea how deeply a 16-year-long abusive marriage had affected my life and relationships, even long after I left it. My unaddressed PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) exacerbated years after the fact, and I realized how many people I'd hurt for years with my defensiveness and fear. I called former co-workers, bosses, acquaintances, and relatives, apologizing for what I'd put them through and opening up about my illness. Nearly all of them had an 'aha' moment of understanding when I spoke of the PTSD. Most were understanding and forgiving. A couple of people were unable to let go of their anger toward me, and I decided to just put them on my prayer list. But, by far the most poignant encounter was with a former co-worker who'd just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. While she heartily agreed I'd been insufferable, it was humbling to have reached out to her in time and heal some of the hurt I'd caused."
Has someone ever rejected your attempt to make amends? How did that make you feel? How did you choose to respond?
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