Daily Word of Grace # 166 (November 3, 2020)
In his 2009 book Have a Little Faith Mitch Albom recounts conversations he had with various religious leaders, including a rabbi, Albert Lewis (affectionately known as “Reb). In one of these conversations Rabbi Lewis told Mitch, “’You know, in our tradition, we ask forgiveness from everyone—even casual acquaintances. But with those we are closest with—wives, children, parents—we too often let things linger. Don’t wait, Mitch. It’s such a waste.’ He told me a story. A man buried his wife. At the gravesite he stood by the Reb, tears falling down his face. ‘I loved her,’ he whispered. The Reb nodded. ‘I mean…I really loved her.’ The man broke down. ‘And…I almost told her once.’ The Reb looked at me sadly. ‘Nothing haunts like the things we don’t say’” (212). In my life there are three things that I have omitted saying that have later haunted me: 1) Thank you, 2) I’m sorry, and 3) I love you. Yes, “nothing haunts like the things we don’t say”…but healing comes when we do say those things, especially “I love you”—always. Not only is this true in our relationships with other people, it is also true in our relationship with God, whose love invokes within us gratitude (“Thank you”—1 Thessalonians 5:18), repentance (“I’m sorry”—Romans 2:4), and love (“I love you”—1 John 4:19). So…say it, say it, say it.
Love and Prayers,
Dave