The I’m Sorry Loaf

Something that has been transformational in my life is the power behind a couple of very simple words.

Actually, they’re not as simple as one would think. The words themselves are short, simple, and to the point, but there is so much meaning behind these words that they’re not always easy to muster up.

“I’m sorry.”

No one likes being wrong. And it can especially be hard to admit when wrong, too. So, because I didn’t particularly like to admit when I was wrong, sometimes I just… didn’t. I either stood my ground and tried arguing my point until the very end, acted like whatever I was wrong about wasn’t a big deal, or talked in circles until I was just too exhausted to care anymore.  Thus, sweeping it under the rug.

All not great options.

It wasn’t until I actively decided that these behaviors were no good did something change.  I prayed for the strength to not only apologize when needed, but to openly accept apologies as well. Because sometimes it takes just that: strength. It’s not easy letting go of any and all pride that may be attached and in doing so it sometimes feels like a physical and emotional rollercoaster.

And this took some practice, but I think as I modeled what I knew to be the right thing to do, the recipient appreciated and realized how good it felt, thus wanting to reciprocate.

Now, in our home when one of us is in the wrong we are (usually) quick to apologize. It’s just not worth the “win” in the end, because what are we really winning, anyway?

Sometimes it’s an immediate verbal apology. Sometimes it’s a phone call or text if we aren’t together. And sometimes it’s an “I’m sorry loaf.”

And this applies to everyone in our family. Whenever I am wrong with my kids I am quick to get down on my knees, look into those little eyes and tell them that I am wrong and so very sorry. I think it’s important to model this behavior early on to our littles so that they grow up knowing this is just something that is naturally done. 

I busted out the ol’ “I’m Sorry Loaf” the other day because I was just in a bad mood and pretty snippy toward my husband. In other words, I was being kind of an ass. He had a long day of work that day and wasn’t getting home until around 9:00 that night and I sent him on his way to work by being short and rude after a night of little sleep. And I just felt awful about it all day.

So, after the kids went to bed while I could have been resting, the “I’m Sorry Loaf” was made and set out for  when he got home.

It doesn’t always have to be a big production when apologizing. Just the simplest of words can mean a whole lot to the other person, showing that you are putting he or she before yourself.

Recipe for The I’m Sorry Loaf HERE