Monday, October 22, 2012

31 days of love...day 22 (Speaking the truth)

Recently, I had to speak the truth to one of my children.  It was going to be hard to tell my child what I needed to say.  In no way did I want to cause hurt.  I love this person with all of my heart and would do anything to keep pain away.  I struggled with how I would say what I needed to say.  My gut ached as I walked up the stairs to my child's room.  I prayed for Jesus to help my words not feel like daggers.  I needed to speak truths, but I knew they would sting my little love. 

The turmoil inside my heart boils down to love.  I could choose to love myself and avoid talking to my child because I knew it would be painful to say what I needed to say.  Or, I could put myself aside and think of what was best for my child.  I love this person and the pain I would feel for a bit was worth the healing that the truths I needed to say would bring. 

As I ponder this, I wonder how many times I have avoided truths because they were certain to cause me discomfort?  I'm not speaking of selfish truths that cause a person to sting for no reason other than to build myself up.  I'm referring to truths that ultimately help someone.  When I look to Jesus, I see that He spoke truths each and every time.  He did not sugar coat words to take out the sting.  He spoke truths that were covered in love.  I want every part of my life to be pleasing to Him, even when I am uncomfortable.  My prayer today is that I allow Him to show me when I need to speak in love.  I pray that I let the Holy Spirit give me the words and I won't rely on my sugar coated words that result in protecting myself. 

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