Today's Daily Bread
Refreshing Candor
Of the many things I love about my mom, chief among them may be her
candor. Many times I have called to ask her opinion on a matter and she
has consistently responded, “Don’t ask my opinion unless you want to
hear it. I’m not going to try to figure out what you want to hear. I’ll
tell you what I really think.”
In a world where words are carefully parsed, her straightforwardness
is refreshing. It is also one of the characteristics of a true friend.
Real friends speak the truth to us in love—even if it isn’t what we want
to hear. As the proverb says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend”
(Prov. 27:6).
This is one of the reasons Jesus is the greatest of friends. When He
encountered the woman at the well (John 4:7-26), He refused to be pulled
into a tug-of-war over secondary issues but instead drove to the
deepest issues and needs of her heart. He challenged her about the
character of the Father and lovingly spoke to her of her broken dreams
and deep disappointments.
As we walk with our Lord, may we allow Him to speak candidly to the
true condition of our hearts through the Scriptures—that we might turn
to Him and find His grace to help us in our times of need.
Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be my Savior
and the greatest of friends. Help me to learn from Him
how loving honesty can make a difference in helping
the hurting people around me.
and the greatest of friends. Help me to learn from Him
how loving honesty can make a difference in helping
the hurting people around me.
Jesus always tells us truth.
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