Me Sorry!

Please Note: This blog post is a teaser for the book, Straight: an ExGay Prodigal Story.

The advent of video games revolutionized childhood. Growing up in the 1980s, I consider myself blessed to have been born on the cusp of two eras.

We both played outside with friends all day and video gamed to extremes. We were out with pellet guns and on dirt bikes until dark. We lived it. When Nintendo was released, we jumped in with both feet. We spent days in front of the TV trying to beat games. After exhausting Super Mario Bros, Contra and The Legend of Zelda became favorites.

If this were a post about parenting, it might be a good idea to advocate spending more time outside… but all of this is just background to tell a story.

Until about 12 years old, we lived in a village outside of a small town in Central Pennsylvania. If your definition of “City” requires tall buildings, my hometown is about 2.5 hours from the nearest city and major airport. Railroad tracks separated our house from a pond. If all of this brings the movie Stand By Me to mind, then you’re right on.

Neighborhood kids banded together. When one of us offended another, it was not uncommon for parents to call us together in the interest of facilitating peace. One time, my friend’s mom brought her over to our house. My parents came out, and we all stood together. ‘Tell Matt you’re sorry,’ her mom prodded. And then my little friend Jamie uttered two adorable words that would be branded in our minds forever: “Me Sorry!”

Just like that, it was over! Two simple words were uttered, and all was forgiven. The slate was wiped clean.

Lest we forget…

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” Romans 3:10

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

As adults, why are these two words so difficult for us to say?

Lesson from a child: Learn to confess, repent and be forgiven. Simple, easy… done.

Reminders:

The Lord commands us to make offenses right (Matthew 5:23-24).

The Lord warns us to forgive (Matthew 6:14-15).