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)
