Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? Galatians 4:16
One thing my husband and I have learned over the years is to try our best to only give our opinion to our adult children or their spouses, when asked. There are many reasons for this. Most importantly, out of respect for them and their values, we have no right to overshadow them with our own. In addition we recognize that everyone has the right to experience life and to learn at their own pace. On the other hand, when asked for our opinion about something, we cannot hold back our honesty, and certainly there are times our ideas and opinions are not agreed with, by them or anyone else.
Occasionally wherever we are or whatever we are doing, we are presented with a situation that is inherently wrong - something that goes completely against our beliefs and moral values. How do we respond? When we react in honesty and truth without hesitation, we risk that it may not be well-received, and we may no longer be viewed as before, but we are obligated to be examples of the teachings of Christ in Scripture. It can appear easy to be a “yes” person and agree with everything, in an erroneous effort to keep what we may interpret as peace, but no good is ever gained from dishonesty. And how pumped up we can be with falsehoods, believing all the while that what is untrue, is the truth! We cannot live a dual life – of saying and doing what others want to hear or see, when knowing in our hearts what God expects of us. There will always be the possibility too, that some will turn their backs on us because of our beliefs. Oh how difficult the truth can be to hear; yet how much easier the truth is to live. God, through the lives of all the good people around us and in Sacred Scripture shows us the way. And one step at a time, forward we go.
None of us like to be made aware that our behavior or philosophy is disagreed with, and we all want to “look good” in the eyes of others. But those conflicts of values give us pause for thought and reconsideration of who we are and what we believe in. But the most important of all, is the person in all of this – the One whom we have to answer to - our loving God! And it’s how we look in His eyes that really matters.
God of Heaven and earth give us the strength to be honest and true with our fellow man. Help us to be upright followers in faith, of your son, Jesus Christ.
In memory of Rev. Joseph Gauthier, S.J. who made countless "gods eyes" for my family.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson