Honestly

What sge is it that we think we need to begin yo lie? Why do we feel the need to lie? Is it when we feel threatened? Or is it just a personality thing? These are some of the questions that have been going through my mind this past week. We have tried to make this a "safe house" to tell the truth in and have only failed miserably once so far. Evidently Libby feels quite safe to tell the truth (as the following stories show).

Episode #1: Grandma Tucker was having a conversation with Libby and she asked Libby if she (Grandma Tucker) was her best buddy. Libby contemplated for a moment and said, "Well, I don't think so. Owen is my best buddy." Grandma continued, "Am I your second best buddy?" Libby responded, "No, Wesley's my second best buddy." This continued on down the line to about ten...grandma still wasn't on the list. She finally asked, "Well, who is my best buddy then?" to which Libby gave her final answer, "Ask grandpa to be your best buddy."

Episode #2: We always ask what Libby is thankful for before bed so we can thank God for that good thing in her life that day. While grandma and grandpa Woods were here she said, "Grandma...I mean, Grandpa." She was up a little while longer and then I said, "Ok, it's time...head to your bedroom. You are thankful for grandma and grandpa, right?" She replied, "No, just grandpa!"

Episode #3: Yesterday at school Libby accidently got marker on her shirt. She wanted to change shirts, but the teacher told her to save her mommy the laundry and to just keep that shirt on. Libby got upset and walked into the bathroom, looked into the mirror and said, "They just don't understand!" She came back out and started to play, but the teacher heard her talking to a friend later about the incident. The friend asked if she could just tell the teacher how she felt about the shirt. Well, later, at home I asked her about the conversation with the friend when she was frustrated about the marker on her shirt. She stood there and looked at me for about two seconds and then said, "No, I was just plain mad!"

What honesty! To the point that it could hurt people, but better than trying to save face and make people feel good. We just have to work on the "in love" part now. Which, by the way, the night after the grandma and grandpa Woods incident, it was grandma she asked to come pray with her and sleep with her. So, she might have been thankful for grandpa the first night, but it wasn't necessarily to the exclusion of grandma. :)

So, honestly, how honest are you? Do you let lies and half-truths slip out of your mouth? I know I do...I could take a lesson from my 4-year old. Honesty is still the best policy.