Sometimes I identify with Jesse James, not the one married to the movie star but the gunslinger of the old west. Let me explain.

Every year I sweat the first week of April. While many of you fret about April 15, I fret about April 1. On the first day of April I start driving like a criminal. I do not mean I drive fast or recklessly. I mean I drive down the street very cautiously and look for hidden policemen around every corner. You see, my inspection sticker expires at the end of March. I have a whole month to get my car inspected, but sometimes I do not notice it is expired, sometimes I forget, and sometimes I am going to do it tomorrow.

Whatever the reason, this year again, I spent a week driving like a criminal. Finally on Tuesday, six days into April, I got my new sticker. It took all of 30 minutes and I got to sit and read while they did it. Next year I will be better. With my new sticker there are a couple of lessons I hope I can remember next year.

1. Procrastination never does any good. I’ve never had to pay a dime for having an expired sticker, but I have had to take time out of my day, drive to the courthouse, and show the lady behind the window my receipt for my new sticker. Ugh! I would not have had to do this if I had only handled things in a more timely way. Remember, that which you do immediately you actually do!

2. There is joy in a clear conscience. Conscience is not our only guide, but your conscience has to be right. Solomon wrote, “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Pro 28:1). A tainted conscience will make you do things that are unhelpful and are downright hurtful to your journey.

When you pull out of the parking lot with that new inspection sticker all neatly installed it feels really good. I can’t wait till next year when I can feel that feeling again.

Lonnie Davis

In the first half of the twentieth century William Beverbrook was a newspaper publisher in England. On one occasion he wrote an insulting editorial about Edward Heath who was a young member of Parliament. A few days after that editorial he happened to meet Mr. Heath in the washroom of a London club.

Mr. Beverbrook spoke first, “My dear chap,” said the publisher, embarrassed by the encounter. “I’ve been thinking it over, and I was wrong. Here and now, I wish to apologize.” “Very well,” grunted Heath. “But the next time, I wish you’d insult me in the washroom and apologize in your newspaper.”

He apologized badly. Unfortunately newspapers are not the only ones to mess up apologies. So that you will not fail in your apology, here are three rules for a good apology.

1. Apologize as soon as you can.

A Christian should never let a day go by without trying to make things right. Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” If there is something between you and another, handle it now!

2. Apologize for what you have done and not for what they may feel.

An apology is not about “If I have hurt you,” or “If you were offended” or “If in any way you were.” When an apology starts off with an “if” it cannot end well. A real apology would say, “I am sorry for what I said. It was hurtful and wrong. I vow that I will not do this kind of thing again. I ask for your forgiveness.”

3. Apologize whether you meant it for harm or not.

You are a good person. You did not mean to hurt the other person. Maybe not, but it did hurt. Just apologize and then by the way you treat the other person show them that you did not mean to hurt them. Put you deeds where you want your words to be.

Paul wrote, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Rom 12:19). Next time you are tempted to say or do something for which you may need to apologize later, remember if you have been wronged, God will defend you. If you have not been wronged, you do not need defense. You need repentance.

Lonnie Davis