Integrity, It is one of our core values at Christie.
I've been thinking a lot about integrity lately.
Webster defines it as "the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles."
Honesty.
Being truthful takes courage. Speaking truth with love and pure intent requires restraint.
I've been really tuned in this year to those who spin the truth. Lies ranging from slight variations (additions and/or omissions that benefit the storyteller) to blatant lies (not even remotely based in fact).
I've also been tuned in to those who speak truth without restraint. Careless words are damaging to culture and relationships.
I had a conversation with a friend recently about the best way to handle a situation. I wanted to be sure I preserved my credibility as certain facts came to light. I never want to be seen as dishonest or someone who can't be trusted. As we talked through our options, we came back to this-- let's let our narrative simply be the truth. And we were both relieved.
Truth doesn't require us to remember a story. Truth doesn't require practice.
We have to model integrity for our kids. We need to be adults who choose honesty with a filter that restrains our biting tongues.
Because---
Being truthful takes courage. Speaking truth with love and pure intent requires restraint.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Redeeming a story
Happy Easter!
Today I was at church with my family and our preacher did something he doesn't often do. He asked anyone who wanted to accept Christ to come to the altar to pray. An unusual move for my non-denominational church. Being raised Baptist, an altar call is nothing new. But today was super special to me.
I watched as about 20 people went to the altar to pray to ask Christ to save them. Given the size of the crowd, that's not many. And yet I couldn't hold back my tears.
Adults and a couple of children. Women and some men. All races. Seemingly all backgrounds. Kneeling at the altar.
And my heart rejoiced. Because I was able to visibly see people's pasts, their stories, being redeemed.
We all have a history. We all have a story. Why we are who we are. Why we have the struggles we have. Why we're confident in some areas. Our beliefs. Our value system.
And not a single part of who we are or where we come from is immune to being used for good.
That invigorates this counselor's heart!
I wish I could say I pray for all of my students by name. I've intended to, but I haven't. However there are certain kids that I pray for diligently. My prayer is simply, "Redeem their stories."
Today I was reminded that those prayers don't go unheard.
Where we start in life is not where we end. Life is a journey. And I pray it is one full of grace and redemption.
Today I was at church with my family and our preacher did something he doesn't often do. He asked anyone who wanted to accept Christ to come to the altar to pray. An unusual move for my non-denominational church. Being raised Baptist, an altar call is nothing new. But today was super special to me.
I watched as about 20 people went to the altar to pray to ask Christ to save them. Given the size of the crowd, that's not many. And yet I couldn't hold back my tears.
Adults and a couple of children. Women and some men. All races. Seemingly all backgrounds. Kneeling at the altar.
And my heart rejoiced. Because I was able to visibly see people's pasts, their stories, being redeemed.
We all have a history. We all have a story. Why we are who we are. Why we have the struggles we have. Why we're confident in some areas. Our beliefs. Our value system.
And not a single part of who we are or where we come from is immune to being used for good.
That invigorates this counselor's heart!
I wish I could say I pray for all of my students by name. I've intended to, but I haven't. However there are certain kids that I pray for diligently. My prayer is simply, "Redeem their stories."
Today I was reminded that those prayers don't go unheard.
Where we start in life is not where we end. Life is a journey. And I pray it is one full of grace and redemption.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)