FIRST LIE

I was probably 6 or 7 years old.

At the dinner table, my father caught me in a lie. I don't remember the specifics.

The results were shocking - this had never happened before. He told me to leave the table, go to the living room and sit on the couch. 

I remember that at the time we had a comfortable, deep-blue, soft couch.  I sat in the middle of it wondering what was going to happen.

My parents and my sister, Beverly, seemed to eat the rest of the meal in silence.

After what seemed like a long time, my parents walked into the living room and stood across the coffee table from me. I felt so small. They looked so big.

My father spoke.

My mother stood beside him quietly crying.

"Son, up until today you've always told the truth. But from here on in, when you speak with us we're always going to be wondering: 'Is he telling us the truth, or is he telling another lie?'"

I wondered why I'd lied. I felt terrible that I had disappointed my parents! I loved them and they loved me. 

I didn't realize it at the time, but it was a pivotal moment for me.

In my young mind - I reasoned things out and determined that I had a choice to make. I would either be a liar or a truth-teller. 

There was no debate!

After seeing the pain my lie had caused my parents, I made up my mind - in that moment - that I would be a truth-teller!

And to this day, I am still committed to be a truth-teller.

It guides me in conversations, in filling out forms, and in filing our taxes. I felt the anguish of being caught once and I never want that to happen again! 

I LIED

I was about five years old.  It happened at the dinner table.  I don't remember the details, but I lied.  It may have been the first time. 

My father told me to leave the table and go to the living room and sit on the couch.  That had never happened before.  I was frightened.

After dinner, my father and mother came in and stood across the coffee table from me.  My Dad did the talking, my Mom did the crying.  Looking up at them, they seemed like giants!  My Dad pointed his finger at me as he spoke.

He said something like:  "Son, now your mother and I will always wonder if you're telling us the truth!  There'll always be some doubt, 'Is Harold lying again?'"

I could see that what I had done caused them tremendous pain!  I loved them!  I felt bad that they were so disappointed in me!

I decided in that moment to be a truth-teller! 

The power of a parent - especially a father - is remarkable!  Use this authority - with godly wisdom - to shape the lives (and futures) of your children! 

Lying

I think I was about five years old.  I told my parents a lie.  My dad sent me away from the table to sit on the couch in the living room.  That had never happened before - I knew I was in big trouble!

After a lengthy wait, my parents came in and stood across the coffee table from me.  From my sitting position, they looked like giants!  My mom was crying.

My dad explained that they would no longer be able to trust me - they would always be left wondering if I was telling the truth.  His voice was soft but intense.  I could sense their sadness.

I was not happy that I had disappointed them so deeply.  I wanted to please them, not hurt them.  So, I decided - in that moment - to be a truth-teller!  And all-these-years-later, I'm still trying to maintain that standard!

"Watch your words and hold your tongue;  you'll save yourself a lot of grief."   Proverbs 21:23 (TM)