I'm sorry in Creole vs English
what happens then
It’s funny how it’s always easier to apologize in a language that isn’t your own. I grew up on an island, and when I moved here around twelve, I had major culture shock. People said I’m sorry out loud. Like, with words. That was wild to me. Because back in Haiti, if you did something wrong, you’d just say, hmm... but never really apologize. No heart-to-heart. Just a quiet acknowledgment and move on. Over time, I noticed something in my own house—me and my siblings found it easier to apologize in English, but never in Creole. Somehow English gave us distance, a layer of safety. But after thirteen years here, even English started to feel heavy. Saying I was wrong. I hurt you. That got harder sometimes. But forgiveness itself—the words I’m sorry or I forgive you—I mean both when I say them. And they've never been the hardest part for me. Some of you might get that. The hard part isn’t the conversation; it’s what happens after. It’s guilt and shame when you realize you can deeply hurt people you love. And that is scary. It’s not creating distance between you and them. Because that memory lives rent free in your head, and whispers, you don’t deserve closeness anymore. But the truth is, Jesus’ sacrifice already covered it all... past, present and future. If we ever think our sin is too big for Him to forgive, that’s the issue. Isn't God bigger than our sins? So, we can’t let guilt and shame pretend to be good accountability partners. Saying I’ll use this guilt to make sure I don’t do it again isn’t healing, it’s self-punishment. And a few weeks ago, I went to a prayer room. Before I left, I shared my prayer with the person sitting next to me. And the weight I’d been carrying for months finally lifted that day. If you’ve felt stuck this year—if you’ve hurt someone and created distance out of shame—know that there’s power in praying in community. Praying with people changes things. It opens your eyes to the walls you’ve built and gives you the grace to tear them down. That, to me, is what it means to contend for love and relationships. To learn with God not just to forgive and apologize. But to forgive yourself for whatever you did. Because in the end without you forgiving yourself restoration isn’t possible. At least that’s what I’ve been learning in 2025. [ Update 11/5/2025: And don't neglect confession friends. Other people have walked in your shoes. There's no need to prolong your healing journey by keeping what you're going through private. Heal in community with confession first and prayer.]
Heart Call:
God doesn’t keep count of the times you came up short. So, guilt and shame are not really good accountability partners; they’re self-punishment. You can rest in knowing that Jesus paid it all at the cross.
I’m not saying either that grace gives us license to hurt people; but grace actually sets us free— to carry His light well and love people better.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.—Romans 8:1 (NASB).
Do you need to restore a relationship with someone?
How can you meditate and accept on Jesus’s love and forgiveness
this week?
Photo Credits: Unsplash by x)