My Apology Wasn't Accepted

Dear Dee:
What do you do if you've apologized to a person and they just won't accept it?

If you delivered a sincere, heartfelt apology and the person you've wronged doesn't accept it, in most cases you've done all you can do.

Sometimes, forgiveness takes time. Depending on the wrong, your apology just might've come too soon or while the hurt is just too fresh. Give the person time and space. Let your apology soak in.

If you issued a heart-felt, sincere apology the next steps lie with the person you've apologized to. Forgiveness is a choice. And while it made you feel better to apologize, it might just not be enough right now to allow them to let go of the wrong. So give it time and hopefully the person will come around.

Because just as you felt a load lift off you when you gave the apology, releasing the pain of that wrong through forgiveness does the same thing. So again, just give it time.