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 God, 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.
God
always tells us truth. (RBC)
