There is a difference between apologizing and asking for forgiveness.

An apology is acknowledging the wrong doing and expressing you feel bad about the situation. There is nothing wrong with this, in fact it's the correct first step.

However, it's easy to slip out the words "I'm sorry" and continue on. Whether genuinely meant or not, it doesn't carry the weight we most likely intend.

Especially in regards to relationships we value, only saying I'm sorry can still leave an open wound. Tension grows, resentment breeds, and while the situation has passed, the feelings have not.

Forgiveness, on the other hand, closes the book on the matter. It involves letting go of the hurt, anger, or resentment.

Dr. Josh Misner from a Time.com article The One Thing Everyone Should Do After an Apology says it this way: "If saying sorry is akin to admitting fault, then doing so is not enough to restore a relationship. Taking the extra step to ask for forgiveness involves a dramatic shift in power, which requires humility on the part of the asker and subsequently places power into the hands of the person wronged."

In this scenario, time is also in the hands of the person wronged. Even though forgiveness is asked for, it does not and will not always be given right away.

If it was a physical pain, it could take time for the pain to reside.
If you lied, it could take a while to restore trust.
If it was emotional pain, time and space may be required.

At the end of the day, a heart felt apology and true forgiveness are both required to heal, restore, and move forward any relationship.

#lessonsformychildren