Choosing & Modeling Honesty

I love how God uses time spent lying awake to speak to me. As much as the insomnia really stinks & causes so much more pain, etc, I really am so thankful for the “forced” opportunities to Be Still & LISTEN. We as a society are so busy that I think this is a hard thing for people to do. I know it’s hard for me to just quiet my mind & be still. There’s always something needing my attention, but I’m also thankful for the reminder that God ultimately needs my attention first & foremost!

A couple days ago while Grant was out with Lexa, Lizzy & Logan, I was at home with the younger set, trying to get some things done. I was trying to supervise the kids doing their chores, keep Ellenor out of trouble (a full time job!) & trying to pay the bills/balance the checkbook. The doorbell rings – it’s around 10:30. I haven’t had time to get dressed yet, so I peek around the door, to see 2 lovely young women holding a phone & asking if I had time for them to share Scripture with me. In that moment where I felt chaos was reigning, I was not in a place to talk with them, so I politely said “I’m sorry, I really don’t have time right now, but thank you & God Bless!”

Looking back, I feel that I could/should have handled it differently. I mean, I could have explained everything that was going on & they would have understood. And then out of nowhere this silly thought pops up – “I wish I had a glib answer to give for situations like that…, just a funny quip prepared…” I can’t even remember now what “clever” thought was, except that it just wouldn’t have been 100% truthful. It felt deceitful & wrong. And I thought about the fact that the youngest 4 kids were all there, listening & watching. And I would NEVER allow them to tell a “half-truth” or just give a glib “funny, but not 100% true” answer instead of the truth. I was really convicted about that.

It’s a good reminder that our kids are always watching & listening. They see & follow our example more than our words!

It’s worth it to take the time to return the extra $1 to the cashier if she gave you the wrong change. It will be a blessing to them & they will likely get in trouble if their till is off. It’s worth it to teach honesty. Every time.