Measuring Reconciliation

Making up after a fight should be measured in inches, not words.

It is the inch I lean away from him when he tries to put his arm around my shoulder in a silent apology. It is the half-inch I step to the outside when he moves toward me.

Measure it in the three inches I set my gaze downward, toward the ground, as I meditate on the hurtful words in my mind; in the slight turn of my face.

But then, measure the reconciliation in the inch I lean my ear to him when he whispers, “I was wrong” even though I know he wasn’t. Or in the 6 inches my hand travels from an angry crossed-arm stance, relaxed downward to grasp his…and then the inch further when my little finger wraps around his.

And then watch reconciliation in the 12 inches of arm I press against his, shoulder to shoulder, down to our elbows.

Small movements, very few words. Sometimes my pride is too deep to lurch out of. I need to leave it behind, inch by inch.

12 Responses to “Measuring Reconciliation”

  1. Chrissie says:

    Beautiful. You are amazing.
    Love you!

  2. Linda Z says:

    So true, Sarah. Words help us get there, but our actions show the true nature of our heart.

    Very beautifully expressed.

  3. Jenn says:

    I loved this. It’s so insightful.

  4. Denise says:

    me too sarah, inch by inch.

  5. theresa162 says:

    Love this. Inches are great. Some Days it may be millimeters though. Fortunately Craig and I just don’t really fit.

  6. Janelle says:

    You hit the nail on the head, friend!

  7. Becca says:

    I really enjoyed this. Read it through a few times and loved it mored each time.

  8. Tam says:

    wow. i will ruin this if i try to say something.

    so.

    wow!

  9. Kim says:

    very true…and i’m guilty of the very same stuff

  10. mandy says:

    whew…..
    Ok. Seriously. This one is a keeper.

  11. Chad Markley says:

    It is amazing that you are so articulate even in an apology.

    I love and treasure you.

  12. gritandglory.com says:

    this was beautiful.

    and something i needed. today. right now.

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I live in Southern California with my husband and my two girls. You can email me at sarah at sarahmarkley dot com. To read more, click here

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