April 30, 2020: Cross My Heart…
Today is National Honesty Day. The person who started this day chose April 30 for two reasons: 1. to balance out all the dishonesty that happens on April 1 (April Fools’ Day) and 2. it’s the anniversary of George Washington becoming President. George Washington was famous for the story where he supposedly said “Father, I can not tell a lie”, but nobody actually knows for sure if that happened… One of the most common lies according to studies? When we say “I’m fine”, because a lot of times, we’re not. Most often, we lie to make ourselves look better, or to make other people feel better.
Sometimes those types of lies can be tricky–it’s good to say you liked a present someone gave you, even if you didn’t, right? Or that dinner your aunt made you tasted great? I think if you search your heart, the meaning behind those comments is the truth–you do like the present because it was that person thinking of you. And dinner was good because you’re eating with family and love. But you know, it’s okay to tell your aunt some honest feedback so she knows you didn’t like it. Kindness is key. But the answer on if that type of lie is okay–can be tricky, but it’s a good thing to ask your parents what they think.
Honesty is definitely something that God values–it’s mentioned many times in the Bible. And behind what we say should be love, and our actions too.
My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do.
1 John 3:18 (ERV)
Dear Lord, Forgive me for when I lie, sometimes I don’t even know I’m doing it. Help me to value honesty, and help me to do better. Amen.
